A Sydney-based activist who has been jailed in Malaysia since Sunday for participating in an environmental protest, could face up to two years in prison.

Natalie Lowrey, an Australian resident born in New Zealand, was in Malaysia taking part in a protest against Australian-owned Lynas Corporation's continued mining of rare earth in Kuantan. The 1,000-strong protest blockaded the entrance to the Lynas Corporation Advanced Material Plant on Sunday.

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According to eyewitness, Lowrey was protesting peacefully and sitting down when police took her away for detainment.

Footage of the protest shows protestors taking part in a peaceful bike ride before gathering in front of the plant. Police then approached and arrested people who were sitting barricading off the entrance.

All those detained were released on bail early Monday except for Lowrey.

According to district police chief Abdul Aziz Salleh, the government's Peaceful Assembly Act requires that protestors give 10 days' notice to police prior to holding a protest and the group that gathered on Sunday had failed to do just that.

As for why Lowrey is the only one still being detained, Salleh told news sources that aside from participating in an illegal protest, she was a foreigner who had entered the country for other reasons and not for activism purposes.

At minimum the woman could be deported to Australia, but the threat of a two-year prison sentence is still a very distinct possibility, the police chief stated.

On Monday, Lowrey took to Facebook and Twitter to thank all the people who had sent her messages of support.

"I am going fine not sure when I will be deported but hope to see you soon," she wrote.

Protests against the Lynas Corporation plant have been ongoing for the past three years. Around 700,000 people live within close proximity of the plant and the area is also populated with tourist resorts and environmentally sensitive fisheries.

TagsNatalie Lowrey, Lynas Corporation, Malaysia rare earth mining