The individuals are suspected of engaging in corrupt activities aimed at safeguarding unauthorised mining practices, thereby undermining environmental and regulatory standards. MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed that the investigation is focused on allegations of soliciting and receiving bribes in violation of Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009.
This development underscores ongoing efforts to clamp down on corruption linked to Malaysia's resource extraction industries, spotlighting the need for transparency and adherence to the rule of law.
In January 2016, it was reported that bauxite mining emerged as a contentious political issue in Malaysia, prompting the government to impose a temporary ban on the extraction of aluminium ore. The government imposed a ban on all bauxite mining after unregulated operations and runoff from unsecured stockpiles in Pahang, an eastern state, severely contaminated water sources and turned roads, rivers, and coastal waters red.
Then, at the beginning of 2019, Malaysia's government decided not to extend the moratorium on bauxite mining, which was imposed on environmental grounds and was set to expire on March 31, 2019. This decision comes in response to strong demand for bauxite, a key raw material in aluminium production, as stated by the Minister of Water, Land, and Natural Resources. Once the leading supplier of bauxite to China, Malaysia saw exports peak at nearly 3.5 million tonnes per month by late 2015.
