KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 — The Kedah state government is set to introduce a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the mining of rare earth elements (REE) soon.
Malay daily Utusan Malaysia reported Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor as saying that the State Secretary would soon announce the SOP for REE mining, following the presentation of his proposal paper during a previous meeting.
“The State Secretary will soon make an announcement regarding this SOP,” he was quoted as saying after attending the launch of the Kedah State Flag Flying Campaign on August 15.
He emphasised the importance of halting all discussions related to the alleged illegal REE mining, adding that REE mining is not illegal as the authorities have apprehended those involved and followed proper procedures.
“Don't just point to Kedah. There are 59 REE mines in other places, why not ask them, go and ask the Perak MB, Pahang MB and Negeri Sembilan MB," he was quoted as saying.
Previously, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the federal government had issued the SOP for REE mining because the proposal paper had already been presented at the meeting of the National Mineral Council on May 8.
He added that the council also summarised relevant legislations at the state and federal levels while taking into account regulatory bodies.
Last month, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) summoned 10 Kedah state executive council members as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and illegal REE mining in the state.
However, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki recently noted that Sanusi has not been summoned yet, as the agency is concentrating on new leads.
Last Monday, Sanusi filed a defamation suit against Saifuddin at the High Court in Alor Setar for linking him to the theft of REE in the state and misuse of federal funds intended for road maintenance projects.
