BANDAR BAHARU: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail is prepared to face any legal action by caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor over his claims on rare earth minerals theft in the state.

Saifuddin, who is also Pakatan Harapan (PH) secretary-general, said he is standing firm behind what he said, adding that he has proof to back the claims.

“It is okay, I welcome it (the legal action), just bring it on,” he told reporters after visiting the progress work of Lubuk Buntar Water Treatment Plant (WTP) upgrading works project in Serdang here today.

Saifuddin passed the bulk back to Sanusi, challenging the latter to explain other questions over the rare earth illegal mining cases in Kedah.

“In Kedah, there is no company being granted rare earth mineral mining or export, but how come the minerals could end up in Port Klang?

Saifuddin added that there has to be a reason for former Kedah Lands and Mines Office (PTG) director Datuk Fauzi Mustaffa to issue a compound to MBI.

“The question is who paid for the compound?” he asked.

Saifuddin stressed that the state government, through MBI, should be held accountable for the rare earth minerals theft at the site since a permit to work on the site was approved by the state-owned company.

“He has to answer first how did the foreign nationals with professional visa ended up being arrested by the police? He has to answer that first.

“I have photos of those who have been arrested, where and when they were photographed with Sanusi, I have all the information.

“He needs to explain everything, not just simply claiming that MBI was not involved. I have a good collection of photos but I am not revealing them now,” he said.

Saifuddin was responding to Sanusi’s statement earlier today that he has ordered his officers to lodge a police report against the home minister over allegations of his involvement in the theft of rare earth minerals.

Sanusi said he was also contemplating taking a legal action against Saifuddin for the latter’s remarks during the “Jelajah Perpaduan Madani” event in Gurun yesterday, which he described as “malicious and slanderous”.

During his speech, Saifuddin claimed that Sanusi was slapped with a RM500,000 compound by the state PTG last year over the theft of rare earth minerals in Sik district last year in the latter’s capacity as the MBI chairman.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin, who is also the State Development Committee chairman, said the RM52 million Lubuk Buntar WTP upgrading works were within schedule and expected to be ready by August.

“As of today, the project has achieved 57 per cent progress, slightly faster than its 56 per cent progress timeline target.

“Once it is ready, the upgraded plant will be able to produce 34 million litres of treated water daily,” he said.

Saifuddin added that he would be visiting the progress work on the other four WTPs in the state soon.  NST

BANDAR BAHARU: Caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has ordered his officers to lodge a police report against Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail over allegations of his involvement in the theft of rare earth minerals.

Sanusi claimed that Saifuddin’s remarks during the “Jelajah Perpaduan Madani” event in Gurun yesterday were malicious and slanderous.

“I have ordered my officers to lodge a police report and subsequent legal action will be taken based on existing laws.

“I don’t care whether he is a minister or not, I will take a suit (against Saifuddin). It was clear cut that he had accused me of being a thief,” Sanusi said in a press conference after presenting land titles to recipients at the land and district office here today.

Sanusi, who is also the Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) chairman, explained that MBI was not slapped with a compound for stealing rare earth minerals, which was actually issued to another party. The state-owned company was just the holder of a permit for a forest farming project at the site.

Caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor showing a copy of notice issued by the Land and Mineral office against a company, during a press conference after presenting land titles to recipients at the land and district office in Tanah Bandar Baharu.

“The land belongs to the State Forestry Department, so when MBI wanted to use the land, it applied for a permit from the department. MBI then entered a joint venture with a company to develop the forest farming project and, in fact, the company was not the one slapped with the compound.

Sanusi added that all findings on the rare earth mineral theft had been tabled in the previous state assembly sitting.

“I have never received any notice of compound (as claimed by Saifuddin). He said I was sued, it was not meant for campaigning but to showcase his mean intention,” added Sanusi.

It was reported that Saifuddin had claimed that Sanusi was fined RM500,000 by the state lands and mines office last year in his capacity as the MBI chairman over the theft of rare earth minerals in Kampung Chong in Sik district.

Saifuddin claimed that a letter signed by the state Lands and Mines Department director Datuk Fauzi Mustaffa dated Oct 4, 2022, was addressed to the MBI chairman and the compound was issued under Section 426(1) of the National Land Code.

Saifuddin, who is also Pakatan Harapan secretary-general, went on to lambast Sanusi: “We appointed him as the MB to run the state, not to become a thief.”

Saifuddin added that he would reveal more on the issus, backed with complete documents soon.  NST

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