Sanusi claims Chinese businessman knows all locations with REE

ALOR SETAR - Caretaker Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has claimed that the Chinese national known as So Loi Fat, or "Mr So", has long understood the potential and the unexplored areas containing the rare earth elements (REE) deposits.

Sanusi said So, who was associated with him regarding REE activities, once showed him a book in Chinese about the mineral's location around the world.

He said it is not impossible that, as a businessman, So had entered this country even before he was appointed as mentri besar.

"Mr So has legs. He doesn't need to be brought here. I don't know who brought him into our country.

"It is not necessary that he be brought here. He wants to do business, to look for REE; they have known for a long time where the locations of REE are," he said when met after attending the Casual Chat programme with MB Kedah at Flat Alor Malai on Wednesday.

The Kedah Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman said REE is not only available in Malaysia but in several other countries that are also "pursued" by investors.

"Myanmar, Cambodia—they have gone everywhere. He showed me a book in Chinese with details on the locations of REE around the world. So it is expected that he will come here.

"He didn't just come because I brought him in; he came before I was here (as mentri besar)," he explained.

Sanusi said REE exploration in Kedah has not been mined, and what happened was a theft that has nothing to do with the Kedah Chief Minister's Corporation (MBI).

"Whatever we were processing hasn't been started yet. We have just completed some necessary procedures," he said.

Commenting on the claim that an Indonesian investor known as Reza Khalid had met him and was interested in mining REE in Kedah last year, Sanusi said he had never met the individual.

"I was only contacted by Reza Khalid's representative, but I've never met him. I can't reveal the rest; that's all," he said.

Sanusi said he would initiate legal action against those who continued to associate himself with So after this.

"It is clear that he (So) had entered Kedah before I became the mentri besar. It's been a long time since he came in; I didn't bring him in. Saifuddin (Interior Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail) is weird.

"I already said that all the lawyers who met (to discuss REE) are his friends. Go and ask his friends. If he continues to defame me, I will sue him again," he said.

On Tuesday, Sanusi denied allegations that he brought So into the country, which was linked to the REE theft in Bukit Enggang, Sik.

Previously, Saifuddin revealed a photo of a Chinese citizen linked to REE activities with Sanusi in a ceremony.

So is believed to be one of the two skilled workers brought to the state by MBI Kedah. Also revealed was the application document for the Expert Visit Pass, signed by Muhammad Sanusi and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MBI, Muhammad Sobri Osman.