MACC makes another arrest in REE mining probe

KUALA LUMPUR: An assistant to a company owner has been detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in its probe into rare earth elements (REE) mining in Kedah.

Sources said the man, in his 50s, was detained at about 10pm on Thursday (July 20) at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.

The remand application was made on Friday (July 21) morning at the Shah Alam Magistrate’s Court.

Magistrate M. Mageshwary granted a four-day remand order until July 24.

At the same Magistrate’s Court, the MACC also obtained a remand extension for another suspect, a female company director, for two days until July 23.

Sources said the woman was previously remanded for three days until Friday while a Kedah Mentri Besar Incorporated chief executive officer was released on the same day.

MACC investigation division senior director Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hashim, when contacted, confirmed the latest arrest and said the investigation was conducted under Section 17 and Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009.