Cops nab nine for illegally entering Kedah forest reserve for REE exploration

ALOR STAR: Police have arrested nine men both foreign and local who attempted to explore for rare earth elements (REE) in Compartment 35, Rimba Teloi Forest Reserve in Sik, on Sept 14.

Kedah police chief Datuk Fisol Salleh said the suspects, aged from their 30s to 60s, have been charged under Section 47(1) of the National Forestry Act 1984 for entering the forest reserve without a permit. They are also facing charges under Section 55B, Section 39B, Section 6(1)c, and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for various immigration offences in the Baling Court.