KUALA TERENGGANU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) have recorded statements from 12 people in connection with alleged corruption over the theft of rare earth elements (REE) in Sik, Kedah.
It will be a matter of time before the graft busters call in caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor as part of their investigations into the illegal REE mining activities.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said they (MACC) were also tracking down several other witnesses including China nationals who had allegedly invested in the REE mining project to assist investigations.
"The China nationals were claimed to have invested in the REE mining and the investigating officers are identifying their whereabouts to assist our probe. We are not sure if they are in Malaysia or in China.
"MACC has so far detained a state Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) staff and a company director in connection with the case. We have recorded the statements from 12 individuals and more people will be called in for questioning including Sanusi....it is just a matter of when they will be called for questioning.
"The 12 witnesses who were questioned were those connected to MBI and a private firm, and none of them were politicians. All of them are witnesses who provided statements to assist our probe and more individuals who can assist us will be called in," he told reporters after attending the MACC's "Cakna Rasuah" programme with east coast media practitioners here today.
Meanwhile, Azam said MACC also wants to verify matters concerning the REE mining and its procedures as there is a viral letter linking Sanusi to the rare earth mineral (letter issued by the Menteri Besar's office).
"The letter signed by him(Sanusi) has gone viral on the internet and we need to verify its (letter) authenticity. When the time comes, Sanusi will be called in for questioning on the viral letter to confirm if it is genuine or not....we need to get his explanation on the letter, when we probe, we do not just terjah (go in blindly) but scrutinise the matter," he said.
On July 18, MACC began its probe into the alleged misuse of authority by Sanusi in regards to REE mining, which is believed to have been conducted illegally and resulted in losses to the state government.
Yesterday, MACC obtained a three-day remand order against a chief executive officer of a state MBI and a female company director into the alleged corruption.
Yesterday, Sanusi said he had signed the support letter to facilitate the entrance of the professional workers from China three years ago, but the approval was by the Home Ministry.
He claimed that a joint venture between MBI and Prospek Suria Sdn Bhd, was formed before he was appointed as the Kedah Menteri Besar.
On Sanusi's claim that there is a major plot to taint his image by using the REE issue, Azam responded saying that it is up to Sanusi to make such statements.
"That is accusations....let him talk, I am only doing my job. It is up to them as I am not moving on a political platform," he said on reports that there is an agenda to paint a bad picture of Sanusi.
