SUNGAI PETANI: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has confirmed that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian tycoon Mohamad Riza Chalid did have an audience with the Sultan of Kedah Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah last year.
However, he stressed that Riza Chalid was just accompanying Anwar for the audience session and there was no discussion on REE mining during the audience.
"Actually, he (Riza Chalid) came to Kedah to accompany Datuk Seri Anwar to have an audience with His Majesty. That's all and after that he went back.
"Datuk Seri Anwar has confirmed to me that he went to Istana Anak Bukit and then they left. I asked Anwar if he is sure that he and Riza Chalid did not meet up with Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, he said no.
"The meeting was held in the palace and Sanusi was not present. Hence, absolutely nothing to do with submitting an application (for REE mining site)," he told reporters after campaigning for Pakatan Harapan candidates for Bakar Arang and Sidam seats at Taman Delima here this evening.
Saifuddin added that Reza Chalid is a renowned businessman in Indonesia and he came to Kedah just to accompany Anwar during an audience the with Sultan of Kedah at Istana Anak Bukit.
He claimed that Sanusi had raised the matter as an attempt to divert an issue concerning the theft of REE minerals in Kedah.
"Yes, they were here (in Kedah) but they did not meet Sanusi, so where did the application issue come from? He has to prove it.
"That is why I said he was simply mumbling," added Saifuddin.
Saifuddin said Sanusi should provide a proof to back his allegation that there was a discussion on REE mining site application during the audience.
"Just like when I said Sanusi has facilitated in Immigration documentation I showed the letter which clearly stated the name of So Lai Fat and Huang Zhiyi
"I showed the proof but he denied so I produced the picture. That's why I said, when we issue a statement, we must back it up with evidence. He issued a statement without proof," he said.
Saifuddin believed Sanusi raised the issue as he was desperate to secure support for the upcoming state election.
"I think it was his desperate attempt to keep the support of Pas hardcore voters and he sensed that there is a shift of the fence sitters after we revealed facts (on REE theft issue).
"Because now is the battle for support of fence sitters. He tried to divert the attention to Sada (Syarikat Air Darul Aman) issues and of course I didn't entertain that," he said.
Saifuddin said he will disclose more evidence on REE minerals theft in a press conference tomorrow in Jitra.
Yesterday, Sanusi claimed that Anwar and Riza Chalid had an audience with Sultan Sallehuddin prior to the 15th General Election.
He claimed that Riza Chalid was in Kedah to explore potential site for REE mining.