KUANTAN: The Pahang government will give full cooperation to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission(MACC) in its crackdown on the illegal extraction of minerals including bauxite at Felda Bukit Goh here.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said he takes the matter seriously, as mineral thefts result in revenue losses for the state government.

"We(Pahang government) will give full cooperation to MACC's investigations and we have done the same in the past too(referring to previous cases involving bauxite mining).

"However, let's wait for the investigation's outcome as the matter is still in court.

"Even the Pahang government no longer issues compounds to individuals involved in illegal land exploration activities across the state; they are now directly taken to court.

"With MACC's involvement, we hope it will serve as a strong reminder to everyone," he told reporters after attending the Anggun Suri programme at Atabara Hall in Indera Mahkota here today.

Anggun Suri is a mass wedding ceremony involving 10 couples which is fully-sponsored by the Pahang government.

On Nov 14, MACC detained three people including a Pahang government official for illegally extracting minerals including bauxite at Bukit Goh here since 2022. They have been remanded till Nov 19.

Today, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki disclosed the "mastermind" in the illegal extraction activities is a "Datuk Seri."

Since a moratorium was imposed on bauxite mining in 2016 following widespread pollution in the state capital, MACC has arrested several individuals including Land and Mines Office (PTG) enforcement officers for illegal mining activities.

Meanwhile, Pahang Pas deputy commissioner Datuk Andansura Rabu condemned those who allegedly accepted bribes to protect the illegal extraction of minerals in Pahang.

"We fully support MACC's investigations to curb illegal extraction of natural resources in Kuantan.

"Stern action is vital to prevent our resources from being exploited by irresponsible quarters.

"Investigations into the illegal extraction activities have to be transparent and fair so that justice can be served. Pas will monitor the development regarding the case and support all efforts to preserve the integrity of the state," he said in a Facebook post today.

KUANTAN: Illegal bauxite mining activities at Bukit Goh went undetected for over a year, reportedly taking place near the border of the Felda settlement and Jabor, Terengganu.

Unlike in the past, settlers at Felda Bukit Goh were unaware of the illegal extraction of minerals, as lorries transporting bauxite did not use the roads within the scheme.

A source said that since the mining operation was carried out near the Felda Bukit Goh-Jabor border, the lorries were allegedly using the roads near the Aspa Cottage roundabout in Gebeng.

"News about illegal mining comes as a shock to many settlers.

"There have been no mining activities since the moratorium was imposed in 2016, and most of the former mining sites are overgrown with bushes.

"Those behind the recent illegal mining works are believed to have previously secured permission to clear the bauxite stockpiles at certain sites near Felda Bukit Goh-Jabor border but ended up mining fresh sites.

"Last year, the authorities detained several men for illegal bauxite mining activities at a different location," he said when contacted.

The source did not rule out the possibility that mining activities were conducted on private land owned by settlers at Felda Bukit Goh and works were done with the land owners knowledge.

However, the source expressed shock that the illegal activities had gone undetected by the Pahang Enforcement Unit (UPNP) elite team, which usually deploys drones to curb land encroachment across the state.

On Nov 14, MACC detained three people, including a Pahang government official, for illegally extracting minerals, including bauxite, at Bukit Goh here since 2022.

They have been remanded till Nov 19.

Today, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki disclosed the "mastermind" in the illegal extraction activities is a "Datuk Seri."

Meanwhile, Sungai Lembing assemblyman Mohamad Ayub Mat Ashri said no mining licences were granted to any operators to extract bauxite at Felda Bukit Goh.

"I was shocked to learn about the arrest.

"I would never compromise with those violating procedures involving mineral resources or rare earth resources.

"I hope the enforcement authorities, including MACC, will conduct a detailed probe into the matter and bring all those involved, regardless of their position in any agencies, to face the law," he said, adding the latest raid must bring an end to illegal bauxite mining activities here.

New Straits Times has contacted Pahang Land and Mines office director Datuk Hamdan Hussin for more details on the site where the illegal exploration of minerals was carried out.

On July 6 last year, the UPNP team spotted a bauxite site near the Malaysia China Kuantan Industrial Park and Sungai Ular and seized four tipper trucks and two excavators.

A month later, six people were arrested for their alleged involvement in illegal bauxite mining activities where UPNP seized three tipper trucks and two excavators.

KOTA BHARU: Kerajaan menyasarkan unsur nadir bumi (REE) dapat diproses dalam tempoh tiga tahun lagi.

Menteri Ekonomi, Rafizi Ramli, berkata teknologi untuk memproses REE hanya berada di China dan perbincangan berhubung perkara itu sedang dilakukan.

"Untuk mendapatkan teknologi bagi memproses REE di dalam negara ini sedang dibincangkan di peringkat kerajaan dan perkara ini juga menjadi agenda perbincangan di antara Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan Perdana Menteri China.

"Kita tunggu hasil perbincangannya dan perancangan kami supaya dalam tempoh dua hingga tiga tahun dari sekarang, kita berjaya pastikan REE dapat diproses dalam negara.

Kota Bharu: Kerajaan menyasarkan pemprosesan unsur nadir bumi (REE) dapat dilakukan dalam negara dalam tempoh tiga tahun lagi.

Menteri Ekonomi Rafizi Ramli berkata, teknologi untuk memproses REE hanya berada di China dan perbincangan berhubung perkara itu sedang dilakukan.

"Untuk mendapatkan teknologi bagi memproses REE di dalam negara ini, ia sedang dibincangkan di peringkat kerajaan dan perkara ini juga menjadi agenda perbincangan antara Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan Perdana Menteri China.

"Kita tunggu hasil perbincangannya dan perancangan kami supaya dalam tempoh dua hingga tiga tahun dari sekarang, kita berjaya pastikan REE dapat diproses dalam negara.