ALOR SETAR - "A vote for Sanusi, is not for the greater Kedah, but for the greatest robbery.”
This was the stern warning by PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to Kedahans ahead of this Saturday's state polls.
"And a vote for us, the unity government, is a vote to stop the rare-earth elements theft from happening in this state,” added Saifuddin in a press conference at the Kedah PKR headquarters today.
The controversial mineral thievery has become a hot button issue relentlessly raised by Saifuddin in discrediting the incumbent administration led by caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor
Ending his two-day hiatus from speaking of the rare-earth controversy, the Home Minister disclosed that if the Pakatan Harapan (PH) - Barisan Nasional (BN) front wins the state polls, the rare-earth mining will be done systematically.
"Mining and exploration licenses will be issued conditionally. Such activities can only be done by certified and qualified geologists. Foreign geologists also need to be registered (in Malaysia).
"A radiological impact assessment report also needs to be done in gradual successions so as to ensure the safety of the nearby locals where these minerals are deposited in.
"(Involvement of) professional engineers are required. We already have a Geologists Council and we have an Engineers Council (in Malaysia),” said Saifuddin.
He also needled on Sanusi’s explanation on how it was the lack of a proper rare-earth mining framework that had cause such theft to occur at the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve.
According to Saifuddin, Sanusi — courtesy of being part of Kedah Minerals Council — was also a member of the National Minerals Council which had already met to discuss over the guidelines and procedure for rare-earth mining on May 8.
Therefore, it was impossible for Sanusi to claim that the state government had to handle rare-earth mining on its own.
"Unless Sanusi did not attend the meeting or he was asleep during it or his representative attended on his behalf but did not brief him afterwards.
"I beseech the Kedahans who are rational to look at the facts. Do not judge based on who can cuss the loudest.
" I, Saifuddin will not mock Sanusi. Because I am confident that his mockery of me will not tarnish me and make him look good,” he said.
On Aug 12, a total of 1,585,085 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in an electoral contest involving 83 candidates vying for Kedah’s 36 state seats.