Sanusi reveals Anwar's link to bid by Indonesian tycoon for Kedah rare earth rights

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the series of accusations against him over the theft of rare earth elements (REE) is linked to bids by an Indonesian tycoon to get mining rights to the lucrative minerals in the state.

Sanusi, who has filed a defamation suit against Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution for accusing him of being involved in the theft of REE in the state, identified the tycoon as prominent Indonesian businessman Mohammad Riza Chalid.

He said Riza had come to Kedah accompanied by Anwar Ibrahim to meet a certain individual.

"It turns out that Riza Chalid came to apply for the REE mining area. He came with Anwar Ibrahim, boss!

"No wonder Pudin (Saifuddin) is working very hard; that's the reason," he told a ceramah last night.

On Oct 2, a Facebook page of the Kedah royal family posted about Anwar's audience with Kedah ruler Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah.

According to the post, Anwar, who was then the Port Dickson MP, had brought Riza with him.

Sanusi also revealed that days before the dissolution of the state assembly, he was contacted by someone who informed him that Riza wanted to donate sacrificial cows.

Sanusi said he declined the offer.

"I was worried because elections were around the corner and the cows could be construed as bribery."

Sanusi said his administration has no problem approving applications to exploit REE resources in the state as long as it benefits Kedahans.

"Come, whoever it is, whether it's Anwar Ibrahim, Saifuddin, or Riza Chalid. Come," he added.

Saifuddin, who is also the PKR secretary-general, has been at the forefront of attacks against Sanusi in Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional's bid to wrest Kedah at the coming polls.

Saifuddin also tried to link Sanusi to a Chinese national, So Loi Fat, one of two people said to be involved in the theft of REE in a forest reserve in Sik.

Sanusi said So owns solar power company Prospek Suria (Kedah) Bhd, a joint venture with state-owned firm MBI, adding that he was already involved in the business even before PAS took over the state government.

"So, Saifuddin's accusation that this Chinese citizen entered on my recommendation and that I facilitated immigration to give him a visa – all of that isn't true. People who don't speak the truth are called liars," he said.

Sanusi said the picture of him with So does not prove anything, as he has taken photographs with so many people.

He said that not long after becoming the menteri besar in 2020, So had approached him with a lawyer who was also a friend of Saifuddin and a supporter of Anwar.

He said that during the meeting he was briefed on the process of REE mining.

"He said there is an agreement for a JV (joint venture) with MBI. I said to proceed. He mentioned that he has already paid MBI upfront, at least RM5 million. I said to proceed, but we must comply with the law.

"Turns out there's someone else drooling. It seems like they want it, too!"