MACC withdraws seizure order

Move aims to allow bauxite operators to export stockpile

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is withdrawing its seizure order against 10 million tonnes of bauxite stockpile in Pahang.

The move is aimed at allowing bauxite operators to export the stockpile during the moratorium on bauxite mining in Kuantan, which is in place until the end of this month.

“It has to be reminded that the withdrawal of the bauxite seizure order does not mean that new mining activities are allowed in the state,” said MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki (pic) in a statement yesterday.

The decision to withdraw the order was made after the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, the Minerals and Geoscience Department as well as the Pahang government agreed to introduce a new rule to stop illegal bauxite mining in the state.

Azam said both the ministry and the state government had also drawn up rules that must be followed by bauxite operators to ensure that the export of the stockpile was carried out in a controlled manner.

“For that reason, bauxite operators must sign a pledge before the Approved Permits application for them to export the stockpile is approved by the ministry.

“One of the things stated in the pledge is that they cannot be involved in corruption or abuse of power,” he added.

Azam said the MACC would be cooperating with the ministry and the state government in monitoring the approved transfer of bauxite stockpile.

The MACC, the ministry and the Pahang government would also work together to ensure that there were no new occurrences of bauxite mining activities in forbidden areas, he said.

The MACC also urged the public to inform it if they came across any illegal bauxite mining activity so that action could be taken against offenders.

“If anyone is found to be involved in illegal bauxite mining, action will be taken against them under the MACC Act 2009 and the Penal Code,” said Azam.