A government official, believed to have played a role in protecting illegal bauxite mining operations in Kuantan since 2022, has been arrested following a raid by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). The arrest, made in the Bukit Goh area of Kuantan, was part of an investigation into suspected corrupt practices designed to shield the illegal mining activities.
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed that the arrested individual was a state government official, while two other suspects, both company owners, were also detained. The three are facing investigation for soliciting and accepting bribes under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009.
According to Azam, MACC’s intelligence indicates that bauxite extraction at Bukit Goh was being conducted illegally, as the mining activities were not authorized beyond bauxite that had been mined prior to 2022. The suspects are accused of accepting bribes to prevent enforcement actions against these illegal operations. The total amount of bribes involved is still under investigation.
During the raid, MACC officials seized over RM26,000 in cash, as well as three mobile phones from the suspects. Additionally, MACC conducted a separate inspection of a bauxite storage facility in Jabor, Terengganu, where they seized seven lorries, four excavators, and a shovel loader. These were handed over to the Terengganu land and mines office for further investigation under Section 425 of the National Land Code 1965 for illegal mining activities.
MACC also seized eight tipper trucks during a separate inspection in Gebeng for violating weight limits under the Land Public Transport Act 2010. The vehicles were handed over to the road transport department for further action.
A six-day remand order was granted by Magistrate Wahidah Zainal Abidin at the Kuantan magistrates’ court for the three suspects, who are now being held until November 19.
Bauxite, a key mineral used in the production of aluminum, has been a focus of illegal mining in the region, with growing concerns over its environmental and legal impact.
