Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission raids lead to arrest of state official linked to illegal bauxite mining in Kuantan

As part of a significant enforcement action, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested a state government official suspected of shielding illegal bauxite mining operations in Kuantan since 2022. The arrest occurred during a raid in the Bukit Goh area of Kuantan, where two company owners were detained.

The individuals are suspected of engaging in corrupt activities aimed at safeguarding unauthorised mining practices, thereby undermining environmental and regulatory standards. MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed that the investigation is focused on allegations of soliciting and receiving bribes in violation of Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009.

This development underscores ongoing efforts to clamp down on corruption linked to Malaysia's resource extraction industries, spotlighting the need for transparency and adherence to the rule of law.

In January 2016, it was reported that bauxite mining emerged as a contentious political issue in Malaysia, prompting the government to impose a temporary ban on the extraction of aluminium ore. The government imposed a ban on all bauxite mining after unregulated operations and runoff from unsecured stockpiles in Pahang, an eastern state, severely contaminated water sources and turned roads, rivers, and coastal waters red.

Then, at the beginning of 2019, Malaysia's government decided not to extend the moratorium on bauxite mining, which was imposed on environmental grounds and was set to expire on March 31, 2019. This decision comes in response to strong demand for bauxite, a key raw material in aluminium production, as stated by the Minister of Water, Land, and Natural Resources. Once the leading supplier of bauxite to China, Malaysia saw exports peak at nearly 3.5 million tonnes per month by late 2015.

Azam revealed that intelligence gathered by the MACC indicated that bauxite extraction at Bukit Goh was being conducted without adhering to legal procedures. He emphasised that approvals had only been given for the extraction of bauxite that had already been mined prior to 2022.

Reports indicated that bribes were paid to circumvent enforcement actions against these illegal mining activities. The MACC is still in the process of determining the total amount of bribes involved. According to Azam, the MACC seized over RM26,000 in cash and three mobile phones from the suspects.

Following the raid, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) also inspected a bauxite storage site in Jabor, Terengganu, on the same day. Seven lorries, four excavators, and a shovel loader were handed over to the Terengganu Land and Mines Office for investigation under Section 425 of the National Land Code 1965 related to illegal mining activities.

Additionally, eight tipper trucks were seized under Section 82 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 for exceeding the permitted load capacity during an inspection at an intersection in Gebeng. The vehicles were subsequently handed over to the Road Transport Department for further action.

Magistrate Wahidah Zainal Abidin approved a six-day remand order for the three suspects after an application was made at the Kuantan Magistrates' Court. The remand will last until November 19.

Image credit: Malaysian Insider

Information credit: Free Malaysia Today