ALOR STAR: Kedah caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor claimed there is a major plot to taint his image by using the issue of rare earth elements theft in the state.
He claimed there were attempts to link him to the rare earth illegal mining cases in the state, which include the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) probe into the Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI).
"I was made to understand that the MACC is probing the MBI, not the MB. I am MB, not MBI.
"Hence, how come there was a news report (on a Menteri Besar being investigated) being published before the (investigation) process even started?
"Obviously, there are certain agendas to paint a bad picture of the MB. So, that is what is going on," he told reporters after accompanying Sultan of Kedah Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah at the state-level Maal Hijrah celebrations here today.
Sanusi said as of today, he had not been contacted by the MACC pertaining to the investigation, adding that he only learnt about the matter from news report.
He further claimed that the plot to link him with the rare earth minerals theft had been hatched for some time ahead of the upcoming state elections.
"I was informed that right after the PKR Youth wing lodged a report with the MACC, they immediately launched an investigation. This shows there is a plot and the plot has been hatched a long time ago.
"The only thing that was brainstormed to link a mismanagement in Kedah is the rare earth minerals issue although the issue clearly involved theft.
"If I knew that someone was stealing of course I would have caught him. It is a theft, so would anyone have known beforehand?
"Thus, these theft incidents are being developed into a narrative that they somehow involved the menteri besar. If I were to steal, would I steal from my own state? (If so) Surely I would be stealing from other states," he said.
Sanusi called on all parties involved behind the plot to stop saying that God would destroy their malicious plan.
Explaining further, Sanusi said action against the culprit behind the rare earth mineral theft was taken after he was slapped with a compound.
Yesterday, it was reported that the MACC has initiated an investigation into the alleged misuse of authority by Sanusi in regards to rare earth element mining, which is believed to have been conducted illegally and resulted in losses to the state government.