Saifuddin spills more on alleged Kedah rare earth theft

 

In the latest episode of his series of exposés over alleged illegal rare earth elements (REE) mining activities in Bukit Enggang, Sik, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail provides further details to his claims.

The home minister revealed last night that the police were investigating an individual connected to the trafficking of workers involved in rare earth mining under Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

“He was arrested and is now being detained for 28 days.

“He brought in workers from overseas and didn’t even pay their salaries,” he said when delivering his speech at the Kedah Unity candidate introduction and manifesto launch in Sungai Petani, Kedah last night.

Saifuddin (above, right), however, did not name the individual.

During his speech last night, Saifuddin also named two Chinese nationals who were allegedly employed by Kedah’s Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) to carry out rare earth elements exploration.

Malaysiakini is withholding the names of suspects in criminal cases who are not public figures, pending formal charges being laid.

Caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor previously said he did not know about the men’s whereabouts since he was not directly involved in MBI affairs.

However, Saifuddin claimed last night that Sanusi had written a letter to the Home Ministry on March 31, 2021, for the individuals to get a professional visit pass to enter the country.

“How can he not know? He signed the letter that had the names (of the Chinese nationals) in it.

“If he (Sanusi) does not know what he signed then that’s very dangerous,” he said.

Previously, Saifuddin alleged that Sanusi was fined RM500,000 last year over rare elements theft.

In response to this, Sanusi firmly denied that neither he nor MBI was issued the fine, but rather a third party, and is mulling legal action against Saifuddin for the allegations.

It was reported last Tuesday that the MACC has launched an investigation on allegations of illegal REE mining in Bukit Enggang, Sik, which entailed claims of corruption and abuse of power.

It also arrested a senior official at Kedah Menteri Besar Incorporated as well as a company director in relation to the case.

MACC chief Azam Baki said on Thursday last week that the commission has questioned 12 people so far and will be questioning Sanusi as well. - Mkini