SHAH ALAM: PAS claimed that Putrajaya allowed the export of raw rare earth elements (REE) despite its policy banning all such exports for now.
PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said this during a media conference on the sidelines of PAS' 69th Muktamar being held at the IDCC Convention Centre here on Saturday (Oct 21).
"On the issue of REE, the national policy has to be clear as it says no exports of REE.
"However, we found that raw REE had been exported to China twice with a value of about RM1mil.
"The Federal Government needs to ensure that the REE ore is processed first so that the value of the product is higher.
"What we need now is for Perikatan states to designate sites to process the raw ore.
"We will also make proper study of REE and whether such mining would pollute water sources.
"Most states have REE but we need the expertise to ensure that the value is upped through processing so that we do not lose out by selling raw material to other countries," said Tuan Ibrahim, who is a former environment and water minister.
The issue of REE mining and export has been much discussed between the Federal Government and Perikatan Nasional states, namely Kedah, for REE extraction needs to get federal approval from Putrajaya despite land coming under state jurisdiction.
