BALING – Embattled Kedah caretaker menteri besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has shot back at Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for suggesting that he may be involved in the illegal mining of rare earth elements (REE) in the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve here.
Sanusi said that only the state forestry authorities have the right to issue permits for miners to enter and mine the area, not the office of the menteri besar.
“I do not know where Saifuddin Nasution is getting his facts. I cannot imagine that in Malaysia, there are ignorant and arrogant federal ministers,” he told a gathering of Perikatan Nasional supporters and PAS club bikers here.
Sanusi also said that the issue of REE is nothing more than just politics, claiming that Saifuddin may have an ulterior motive in bringing up the matter now.
He also warned voters in Kedah that certain parties may use monetary incentives as an inducement to vote for them.
“Take the cash or the gifts but remember to vote for us PN (PAS),” he said.
Sanusi did not elaborate on who the parties he was referring to were, but stressed that Kedah will be under watchful eyes for this state election because of the attention it has generated.
In another development, Kedah Pakatan Harapan chief Datuk Mahfuz Omar said that PH with its ally Barisan Nasional are edging forwards despite encountering a campaign full of half-truths and slander which PN had tried to propagate.
He hopes that the voters will not be overwhelmed with the emotive form of campaigning and focus on the facts when they decide who they want to support.
Kedah DAP chief Tan Kok Yew, who is defending his Derga seat, said that it is a tough battle, but he hopes that the voters would come out in droves to support their candidates, as they must have a say on who should represent their future government. – The Vibes, August 10, 2023
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