'Tackle rare earth theft to prevent it from happening elsewhere'

 

It is feared that the illegal mining of rare earth elements (REEs) in the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve will also happen in other areas of the district if those concerned do not take serious measures to address the issue.

Former Jeneri assemblyperson Mahadzir Abdul Hamid said this was because REEs are not only found in the affected forest reserve but also in other areas, resulting in residents of Kampung Chong and Kampung Sungai Senam fearing that a similar incident may occur.

“I recently conducted a survey with them (villagers) and found no suspicious activities in the Bukit Enggang Reserve Forest.

“However, villagers are wondering why the authorities are not continuously monitoring. We are concerned that this will allow irresponsible parties to encroach on other areas,” he said in a press conference yesterday.

He also suggested the authorities set up an investigation committee to study and conduct a probe into the issues behind the REE.

Protest against illegal rare earth mining in Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve back in February this year.

“I call on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to put the REE-related issues under the National Security Council, like Bukit Malut on Langkawi Island,” he said.

Last October, the media reported that Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Noor confirmed the incidents of theft or illegal mining of REEs at the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve in Sik.

However, he denied the involvement of the state government or Prospek Suria Sdn Bhd, which had been granted a licence to conduct exploration work to research minerals in the area.

On April 13, a total of 40 individuals, including 35 foreigners, were charged at the Sessions Court with trespassing into the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve in Sik in January.

- Bernama