Natalie Lowery has been under arrest since Sunday after protest against Lynas Corporation's rare earth mine

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

District police in Malaysia say they have completed their investigation of a Sydney-based environmental activist who has been in jail since Sunday, recommending the attorney general charge her with offences that could see her jailed for two years.



Natalie Lowrey, an Australian resident born in New Zealand, was arrested after taking part in a protest demanding the Australian-owned Lynas Corporations shut down their rare earth mining plant in Kuantan.

Protesters have long raised concerns about the plant, saying it produces environmentally harmful toxic waste.

Activists blockaded the entrance to the plant in what witnesses say was a largely peaceful protest until police began using force.

Police, however, said that protesters refused to move on and that they had no choice but to make arrests.

Fifteen Malaysian citizens arrested with Lowrey were released on bail within hours.

On Thursday afternoon the district police chief, assistant commissioner Abdul Aziz Salleh, told Guardian Australia the police investigation into Lowrey was complete.

“There are two very wrong and obvious things she has done,” Abdul Aziz said.

“We have recommended that she be charged under the Immigration Act, and that she also be charged for unlawful assembly.

“The decision is now with the Attorney General Department, who are considering their next steps.”

He confirmed the latter charge carried a maximum two-year jail term, a fine, or both.

An Australian environmental activist, Tully McIntyre, said police had confiscated Lowrey’s phone.

She said when Lowrey was first arrested, police had told them she would go to court the following day and be immediately deported. That court appearance never happened.

McIntyre has been allowed to visit Lowrey a couple of times, and said she was “extremely worried” for her friend.

“Nat said she is still going OK. It is draining [for her] being contained in the cell with the 24-hour fluorescent lights and camera surveillance.

“It does make her feel stronger knowing there is so much global support behind her.



“She did say that this isn't just about her and felt compelled to sit down with the other protesters at that time as there was something in her heart that told her do it.”

