REE dredging continues, Amanah Kedah raises alarm

ALOR SETAR - Amanah Kedah raises concerns over ongoing rare earth elements (REE) extraction activities in Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve (HSK) in Sik, alleging that it is being carried out without standard operating procedures (SOP) on Kedah Menteri Besar Corporation (MBI) land.

Amanah Kedah chairman Datuk Ismail Salleh said he had informed the residents that the activity is still ongoing and that about 12 people living in the nearby homestay will enter the affected area, particularly at night.

"We are unaware of their exact actions as they claim it is exploration.

"We demand a comprehensive explanation regarding the REE issue," he told a media conference in Shahab Perdana on Friday.

Ismail called for the immediate establishment of a special inquiry tribunal or Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to thoroughly investigate the activities.

"We believe it is necessary to have a tribunal or investigation to address the unresolved questions surrounding the REE issue.

"The responses from the Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor) during the State Legislative Assembly have only caused more confusion," he added.

He also stressed the importance of presenting the results of investigations conducted by the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

"We insist on a comprehensive investigation into this matter, which is why establishing a tribunal or RCI is crucial.

"Although this issue may not be as significant as 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad), there are elements that need to be unraveled and resolved promptly," he said.