ALOR SETAR - Caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor confirmed that he had inspected the theft site of the rare earth elements (REE) in Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve, Sik, on Feb 19.
He said he was at the site to gather information about the mineral theft and assess the situation for better investigation.
He stated that the results of the visit were presented at the exco meeting to prevent any future occurrences of similar incidents.
"What's wrong with visiting the area of theft? I went myself to see how they steal, how they operate, why didn't people notice (when the theft occurred), why can they enter twice?" he said when contacted on Saturday.
Sanusi emphasised that the visit, which several government agencies attended, collected valuable information that allowed for the development of a plan to prevent the repetition of such incidents.
"I also asked each agency what the department would do to overcome this problem, including what was seized and how the invaders took the minerals.
"Before implementing the new policy, the information was presented at the exco meeting where it was decided to halt all REE activities and processes within the forest reserve," he said.
Sanusi added that a dedicated committee comprising representatives from all departments was formed to create standard operating procedures (SOP) about REE.
"Until today, the policy remains.
"Pudin (Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail) is unaware of jurisdiction. He thinks we're not doing anything. It's up to the minister," he asked.
On Thursday, Saifuddin revealed a picture of Sanuni visiting the theft area in Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve, Sik, on Feb 19.
Saifuddin claimed that the disclosure of the photo proved that Sanusi knew about the theft of REE in Kedah.
However, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) secretary-general said that Sanusi kept quiet and did not take any action.
Sanusi, meanwhile, criticised Saifuddin for allegedly manipulating the information to give a negative image of himself.
"I didn't go to the theft site alone. I went with the department representatives because we wanted to investigate.
"A group of individuals accompanied me during that period, including the Director of Lands and Mines (PTG) along with five officers, the Director of the Minerals and Geosciences Department (JMG) with three officers, the Director of the Kedah Forestry Department with 10 officers, the State Secretary (SUK), and the police who were accompanied by representatives of the Office District and Land of Sik," he said.