The Malaysian Government Must Take Immediate Steps to Stop Lynas From Implementing the Deal With the US Department of War

BDS Malaysia notes that Australian rare-earths producer Lynas has signed a four-year, $96 million agreement with the U.S. Department of War (or Pentagon) to supply light and heavy rare-earth oxides. The deal aims to secure mineral supply chains for U.S. advanced manufacturing and defence technologies.

BDS Malaysia reiterates that the deal with the Pentagon directly links processing operations on Malaysian soil to foreign military supply chains. This compromises Malaysia’s longstanding policy of non-alignment and risks making Malaysia complicit in military actions carried out by the US and its allies, particularly the Zionist regime currently carrying out genocidal crimes in Palestine.
Moreover, the deal is reprehensible due to these concerns:

• Breach of Non-Aligned Policy: Malaysia has historically maintained a strict non-aligned foreign policy. By supplying critical minerals essential for advanced weapons systems to the U.S. Department of War, Malaysia effectively subordinates its industrial infrastructure to a foreign military power.
• Complicity in Global Conflicts: The minerals processed in Gebeng, Pahang, are being used in U.S. military operations and would implicate Malaysia in violations of international law. Recent examples include the illegal attacks against Iran and Venezuela.
• Aggravated Environmental Burdens: The Lynas facility produces radioactive waste. Subjecting Malaysian citizens to health and environmental risks to be part of foreign military and defence projects is completely unacceptable.

BDS Malaysia calls on the Malaysian government to take immediate steps to stop Lynas from implementing the deal with the US Department of War.

BDS Malaysia
19 June 2026