The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has raided houses of the 10 suspects believed to be involved in abetting in illegal bauxite mining in the area.

The MACC had also seized several documents including the bank statement of the suspects, a senior officer of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and nine Pahang Land and Mineral Office (PTG) personnel.

"The MACC has also submitted an application to restrict any acquisition of property under Section 37 (1) of the MACC Act 2009," it said in a statement.

It said raids were also carried out at the Kuantan Port, the Customs Department and several other companies believed to be involved in the illegal activities that witnessed various documents including export documents, laptops and Customs-related forms confiscated.

"To date, statements from 18 witnesses, including lorry drivers who were transporting illegal bauxite, managers, company supervisors and clerks have already been taken," said the statement.

The MACC today obtained a remand order for a week from Magistrate Tengku Eliana Tuan Kamaruzaman, beginning Thursday, against nine PTG personnel, aged between 29 and 59, to assist in the investigations.

Yesterday, Tengku Eliana had allowed a 56-year-old Customs Department assistant director to be remanded until Aug 8 to assist in the investigations.

All suspects were detained in the MACC special operations following the discovery of the ongoing illegal bauxite mining activities in Bukit Goh and Bukit Sagu here despite the imposition of a moratorium order by the government until Dec 31.

- BERNAMA