MACC nabs four Pahang officials over bauxite mines

(Malay Mail Online) – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested four officers with the Pahang Land and Mines Department for allegedly accepting bribes related to the controversial bauxite mines in the state.

National news agency Bernama issued a tweet today saying that the four individuals allegedly received bribes amounting to RM100,000, although it did not yet contain details on what the inducement was for or from whom the bribes came.

Yesterday, the MACC said it had uncovered elements of corruption in bauxite mining in Pahang that is currently at the centre of an environmental crisis in the state.

Putrajaya yesterday announced a three-month moratorium on bauxite mining in Pahang from January 15, amid concerns over the health and environmental impact of the mining industry for the aluminium ingredient.

The Health Ministry today told residents in areas around Kuantan that was hardest hit by pollution originating from bauxite mining to refrain from consuming fish and water from rivers contaminated by the refining process.

International news wire Reuters reported last month that Malaysia shipped more than 20 million tonnes of bauxite to China in the first 11 months of last year, up nearly 700 per cent on 2014. In 2013, Malaysia reportedly shipped just 162,000 tonnes.