Saifuddin claims MBI knew about REE theft in Sik

ALOR SETAR - Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail claimed that the Menteri Besar Kedah Incorporated (MBI) knew about the theft of rare earth elements (REE) in Bukit Enggang, Sik, Kedah.

Saifuddin said caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor denied that MBI was involved or had anything to do with the mineral theft when the issue was raised in the state assembly.

However, he said MBI should have known about the matter since it was the corporation that hired a group of Chinese workers to carry out exploration in the area.

"Tonight, I want to tell you that MBI really knew that their compartment or area was where a large-scale REE theft occurred and it is within their knowledge. At least, there have been two phases of arrests. In the first (phase), over 50 people (were arrested) at the beginning of the year.

"Who arrested them? The Forestry Department, the Minerals Department and the Immigration Department did. The arrests were carried out and followed by investigations and I am still gathering evidence. Those arrested were not accused of theft, but trespassing into the forest reserve," he said.

Saifuddin said this at the Suka Menanti State Legislative Assembly Madani Roadshow at Taman Wira Mergong public field on Wednesday night.

He claimed that Sanusi had previously written a letter to him stating that Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin had requested for 10 engineers and 21 skilled workers from China to be brought into the country, but a letter from the MBI chief executive officer stated that the 21 manpower asked to be brought in were general workers.

In that regard, Saifuddin questioned about the general workers being granted entry using health treatment permit and asked Sanusi to reveal the hospital that provided treatment to the workers.

"When I read it (the letter), there were two very dubious names. From China, he was a consultant, (but) he was also a consultant to this REE project," he said.

Saifuddin then asked Sanusi to explain the position of the two Chinese nationals involved whose Professional Visit Passes showed that their employer was MBI and were employed by the corporation as professional experts to study the REE site in the area.

"What are these people's expertise? How long was their job contract with MBI? How much did MBI pay them? What were their job scopes? What were their responsibilities? Because one of them was caught trespassing into the forest reserve," he claimed.