Putrajaya rejects Kedah MB's charge of REE mining obstruction, says states responsible for implementation
KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — The federal government has rejected Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's claim that it is deliberately delaying rare earth mining guidelines to hinder the progress of SG4 states.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stated that the claim is baseless and had already been addressed publicly in October last year.
He said the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for rare earth element (REE) mining were finalised and sent to all state governments on 20 December 2023.
The SOP includes detailed guidance on technical procedures, environmental compliance, site rehabilitation and export controls.
'The SOP that is being referred to is a comprehensive reference document based on existing legislation,' said Nik Nazmi, adding that states are expected to adapt it according to their own laws.
Any delays or constraints in implementation at the state level should not be blamed solely on the federal government, the minister added.
He also stressed that REE mining is prohibited in permanent forest reserves, environmentally sensitive areas and designated protection zones.
However, mining activities may proceed in other areas if they comply with national laws and environmental guidelines.
On the matter of exploration, Nik Nazmi clarified that 'this activity falls under the jurisdiction of the State Government' and is already covered under Kedah's Mineral Enactment 2004.
The minister then urged all parties 'not to use natural resource policy as a political tool,' calling instead for stronger cooperation between federal and state governments.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
12 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Ministers shouldn't have to fake it till they make it, says KJ
Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin said people appointed to the Cabinet need time to settle in and cannot be expected to know everything about their jobs from day one. PETALING JAYA : Newly-appointed ministers should be given more time to settle into their jobs after being appointed to the Cabinet, says former minister Khairy Jamaluddin. The ex-health minister said that members of the Cabinet were expected to know everything related to their portfolio from day one, adding that this was unrealistic. 'The moment a minister is announced and appointed, almost the very next day, they see the press, and the press asks them, 'What are your priorities? This guy doesn't even know what day it is. They have to pretend. I mean, fake it till you make it, right?' he said in an episode of the Game of Impossible podcast with former minister Idris Jala and his son, Leon. Khairy said ministers need at least two or three weeks to understand their ministries. The former Rembau MP recounted how he took matters into his own hands when appointed as health minister in 2021, a portfolio which he admitted he was not very familiar with at the time. 'I had some goodwill with one of the big consulting companies because they did work for me before. So I asked them, can you help onboard me; that was my own initiative,' he said. Khairy said the firm then arranged virtual briefings with health experts from around the world as he learned about the portfolio. 'They brought in their partners from all over the world, from healthcare financing, public health, health economics, looking at how other countries transform their hospitals.' Since Malaysia's political system does not appoint specialists to such posts, Khairy said ministers must make the effort to understand their roles. 'You want somebody who's considered, somebody who's measured, somebody who knows what's realistic, rather than somebody just spewing absolute nonsense on day one,' he said. Revamp ministry offices Khairy, who has also served as minister for science, technology and innovation as well as youth and sports, also criticised the way ministerial offices were structured in Putrajaya, saying the layout often separated the minister from key staff. 'You walk into the office and you know this room is the private secretary, this room is the press secretary… That's not being in the trenches with the troops,' he said. The former Umno man said he changed this in the health ministry at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, opting instead to work side-by-side with his officers. He said his room was the same size as that of the ministry's secretary-general, 'same size as the directors of the task force'. 'When the troops see the generals there together, decision-making is easier,' said Khairy.
Free Malaysia Today
13 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang councils call for action after bribery, extortion claims in videos
Several video clips on social media have made allegations against city council staff of bribery, abuse of power, extortion and physical threats. PETALING JAYA : The two city councils in Penang have called for action over viral video clips alleging bribery and abuse of power by council staff in dealings with business operators. The Penang island city council called for an investigation into two viral videos alleging bribery for allowing foreign nationals to operate businesses, Bernama reported. The videos, circulated on TikTok, also allege that council enforcement officers applied double standards in their operations. Separately, the Seberang Perai city council said that it has launched an internal investigation into another viral video in which a man alleges that council officers abused their powers at his friend's business premises. The viral video, which runs for two minutes, includes claims of extortion, threats against customers, wrongful detention of foreigners, and even an incident in which a local man was allegedly slapped after being mistaken for a foreign national. The Penang island city council said two videos circulated on TikTok contained 'numerous false and biased claims which amount to slander and misrepresentation of the council'. It called for an investigation by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. The council said city councillors Tan Soo Siang, R Harikrishnan, Muhammad Khairul Mohd Ali, and Abdul Razak Rahman had also lodged police reports against the person who posted the videos. The Seberang Perai council said an internal investigation has been launched and a meeting held with the business owner involved to gather detailed information about the incident. The council urged the business owner to lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission if there was genuine evidence of corruption involving council staff.
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Anwar hopes for peaceful resolution between Pakistan and India, strengthens bilateral ties
KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hopes that Pakistan and India can reach a peaceful and comprehensive solution to ensure lasting regional stability and peace. Sharing on Facebook today, Anwar said the wish was conveyed to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif when he received a phone call from the leader who is currently performing the hajj pilgrimage. 'I pray that he has a successful hajj and wish Eid Mubarak (Selamat Hari Raya) to all Pakistanis,' he said. At the same time, Anwar also hoped that Shehbaz's official visit to Malaysia could be rescheduled when the situation in Pakistan permits. He said Malaysia looks forward to the opportunity to continue strengthening its strategic, as well as mutually respectful and beneficial, bilateral relationships. Anwar also appreciated compliments delivered by Shehbaz on Malaysia's success in hosting the recent Asean Summit. — Bernama
