STATE POLLS | The Pakatan Harapan-BN coalition intends to tap into the rare earth element (REE) industry to provide job opportunities to Kedahan if given the mandate to rule the state, said Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The coalition government would also immediately put an end to illegal REE mining if the pact wins in Saturday’s polls.
“The coalition government in Kedah will be committed to tapping into the international market on REE mining. How to develop (the REE industry, and what business model to use,” he told a press conference today.
Saifuddin (above) added that the state government would put conditions on better policies around REE.
This includes conducting frequent radiological impact assessments on REE projects and stricter processes and standard operating procedures for mining activities, reviewing and the legal framework surrounding REE.
The minister said that the Harapan-BN government will ensure that only registered geologists, whether local or foreign, perform such processes with the involvement of professional engineers.
The government would also support investigations into previous cases of REE theft, including the ones he previously exposed, which allegedly involves caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, he added.
“We will put an immediate stop to any (previous) incidents of REE theft such as cancelling the approval letters sent out on May 3 and May 13, as this opens the doorway to theft. We will also use mineral state enactments and the Forestry Act to investigate (the theft).
“We will cooperate with agencies like the police to conduct investigations with the previous cases,” Saifuddin said.
The Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry told Parliament in June that there was no specific agreement for the mining industry between the federal government, state governments or mining operators.
Saifuddin has been making claims throughout the ceramah circuit in Kedah linking Sanusi to the alleged REE theft in the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve in Sik, Kedah.
Sanusi repeatedly denied the allegations and threatened to sue Saifuddin, but the PKR secretary-general is standing by his claims and has continued to make revelations on the issue.
Proof of approval letter
On Aug 6, Saifuddin claimed that the Sanusi-led Kedah government issued a letter dated May 15 to allow a company opened by a local Chinese man from Kuala Krai, Kelantan to enter the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve.
He alleged that the approval was issued after the man, along with 40 individuals, including 35 foreigners, were charged at the Sessions Court with trespassing into the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve back in January.
The individuals were arrested and fined RM130,000.
In his latest revelation today, he showed media personnel proof of the approval letter as well as the names of the individuals involved.
Malaysiakini is withholding the names of suspects in criminal cases who are not public figures, pending formal charges being laid.
Exploration, excavation licences
In his latest claims, Saifuddin alleged that the Kedah Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI), led by Sanusi, had issued exploration and excavation licences to a company on May 3.
He claimed that the authorisation was for the company to take REE samples in Kampung Bendang Man.
“I’ve been made to understand that almost five sacks of samples (REE) were taken,” he said, adding that Kedah MBI chief executive officer Sobri Osman had authorised it.
The police have already taken action with several arrests made, Saifuddin added.
‘A vote for Sanusi is a vote for REE theft’
The minister insisted that his revelations against Sanusi were not solely for the sake of the state elections, and that more disclosures are expected to be made in the future.
“My disclosure is not for the election, this is to inform the people of what is happening, that's why I will say, one vote for Sanusi means one vote in support of REE will continue to be stolen.
“One vote for the unity government party means one vote to prevent theft from continuing. One vote for Sanusi is not for the greater Kedah but the greatest robbery of REE,” he said.
Sanusi previously claimed that Putrajaya was trying to usurp the state's authority over land and mining rights to take Kedah's rare earth for itself.
"If you want to take the rare earth elements (mining rights too) no way, there will be a fight," the PAS lawmaker had said. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.