KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has initiated an investigation into the alleged misuse of authority by caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor in regards to rare earth element (REE) mining, which is believed to have been conducted illegally and resulted in losses to the state government.
According to MACC sources, the issue of illegal mining and loss of land had been raised by several non-governmental organisations and residents in Bukit Enggang Sik area including the Gerakan Anti-Sanusi (GAS) in March 2023 where illegal mining works were carried out on a large scale before being busted by the authorities.
"In January, Kedah Umno had urged the MACC to investigate and reveal the results of the investigation as to whether there was political interference on the issue of REE theft which had caused huge losses to the state.
"Recently several individuals have come forward and made an official complaint to the MACC to investigate the issue of abuse of power and corruption involving the Kedah Menteri Besar as a result of a viral letter related to the foreign worker quota application to the Ministry of Home Affairs which is said to a joint venture project between the State Government and a local company and a company from the China," the source said.
The source added that Kedah MACC had opened an investigation paper regarding the issue of illegal REE mining in early 2023 and it is said to have called several witnesses but it is not known how far the investigation had gone.
MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya when contacted had confirmed that several investigation papers had been opened under Section 17 (a) and Section 23 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
He also added that the investigation papers also included the ones that were opened by the Kedah MACC in March 2023.
Khusairi however refused to comment further when asked if the graft busters would call the Menteri Besar involved in the near future.