PETALING JAYA: According to Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Mentri Besar Kedah Incorporated (MBI) was aware of the theft of rare earth elements (REE) at Bukit Enggang in Sik, Kedah. The Home Minister stated that caretaker Kedah mentri besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor previously denied MBI’s involvement in the matter. Saifuddin said, “MBI should have known about it as it hired a group of workers from China for exploration in the area,” as quoted by Sinar Harian during a Madani Roadshow at the Mergong public field in Alor Setar on Wednesday (July 19).
“MBI knew about the large-scale REE theft, evidenced by two phases of arrests. The first phase led to the arrest of 50 individuals at the beginning of this year. These individuals were arrested by the Forestry, Minerals, and Immigration Departments, and subsequent investigations followed,” Saifuddin added.
While those arrested were not charged with theft, they were charged with trespassing into the forest reserve. Saifuddin questioned the necessity of allowing general workers from China into the country, especially when Muhammad Sanusi had requested skilled workers in a letter to MBI, who subsequently claimed that the workers were general workers.
“The letter contains suspicious names, as these individuals were consultants from China but also consultants for the REE project,” said Saifuddin. He urged Muhammad Sanusi to clarify the position of the two Chinese nationals whose professional visit passes indicated that they were MBI employees, hired as professional experts to study the REE site in the area.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
