Sanusi not serious about preventing rare earth theft, activist claims

A politician cum social activist has slammed Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for allegedly not being serious in preventing the theft of rare earth elements from the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve in Sik.

This comes after Sanusi (above) reportedly said yesterday that no evidence has been found so far to connect such activity to 52 suspects arrested at the forest reserve last week.

Mahadzir Abdul Hamid claimed that the menteri besar appeared to have defended the suspects instead of commending the Kedah Forestry Department for doing a good job.

"The state government should be firm against those who encroached into the forest reserve, especially where rare earth thefts had allegedly occurred.

"His statement does not show that the state government is taking this problem seriously.

"The state should also launch its own investigation into this matter instead of only leaving it to the authorities," Mahadzir told Malaysiakini.

Mahadzir Abdul Hamid

The former Jeneri assemblyperson from Umno said the Forestry Department had shown that it is serious about doing its job.

In the raid last Wednesday, he pointed out that the department had not only arrested the suspects but also seized all their equipment and removed the machinery from the forest reserve.

"The menteri besar should welcome the Forestry Department’s strong enforcement action instead of issuing a statement like this, which to me sounds like he is being defensive of the (alleged) thieves."

While there may have been no evidence to link the group to the theft, there were indications that it was going to happen, he added.

He expressed concerns that should no strong action be taken against those who steal rare earth elements from Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve, such an attempt would reoccur.

‘Similar incident occurred last year’

The activist said that a similar incident had occurred last year, but a suspect who was arrested and the company involved in mining rare earth there were only issued compounds.

"If the state government is really serious, it should have taken the suspects to court, not just issue them compounds.

"This is not like a minor traffic rule violation, where only a compound is issued. This issue involves the state's resources, which belong to the rakyat," Mahadzir added. - Mkini