Bauxite: UMNO Youth calls for stern action against corrupt agencies

UMNO Youth wants stern action to be taken against all quarters involved in uncontrolled bauxite mining in Pahang, especially the enforcement agencies which failed to perform as expected.

Its chief, Khairy Jamaluddin, said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should conduct a thorough investigation and should not focus only on low rank officials.

"We hope the MACC's investigation will be able to convince the people...the people who want to see those responsible to be brought to justice," he told reporters after chairing the first UMNO Youth executive council meeting for this year at the Putra World Trade Centre here.

Khairy said UMNO Youth lauded the government's decision in giving the three-month moratorium period for bauxite miners in the state, but was also hoping that the period would be extended until the issue was resolved completely.

"The uncontrolled (bauxite mining) activity jeopardises public health, pollutes the environment, causes traffic congestion and accidents. We want in-depth study on the issue. If it were to begin again, it should be strictly controlled so that it will not affect the local residents and the environment," he said.

So far, the MACC had arrested seven individuals, including four officers of Pahang Land and Mines Office, in the anti-bribery investigation relating to the illegal bauxite mining activity.