The Kulim-Bandar Baharu member of Parliament said this following an announcement by Kedah yesterday that it had signed an agreement with a company to explore a “certain non-radioactive rare earth element (REE)” in the hinterland districts of Sik, Ulu Muda and Baling.

Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had said there was a potential of obtaining RM62 billion worth of rare earths from these areas.

Saifuddin said in Sik, the likely spot for the REE, would be the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve, which covers 20,230ha.

He said even if 250,000 tonnes of the mineral were sold for US$3 billion, it would only come up to RM12.2 billion after conversion.

“So where is this RM62 billion coming from?” Saifuddin, who is also PKR secretary-general, asked on Facebook.

He reminded the Kedah government that the agreement signed was to explore for REE, not to mine for the material.

Saifuddin said what would likely happen was that soil samples from these districts would need to be analysed first.

He said the exploratory permit issued by Kedah did not mean that these parties could go into forests to carry out logging activities.

“I will be following the Kedah government’s moves on this closely. More so when the Gunung Bongsu Forest Reserve is said to have 312,500 tonnes of REE worth US$3.75 billion.

“I suppose that Kulim will then be next to be explored?” he said in reference to the forest reserve within his parliamentary constituency.

Earlier today, environmental group Sahabat Alam Malaysia warned against mining for REE, even if it was not radioactive, as studies in China had shown that it would damage the environment and public health.