KOTA BARU: Three foreign men have been arrested on suspicion of carrying out illegal gold mining activities in an oil palm plantation in Sungai Seting, Gua Musang.
Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) commander Senior Asst Comm Rosli Md Yusof said they were detained in an integrated operation that began at 5.30am on Monday (Sept 8).
The suspects, in their 30s, comprise two Myanmar nationals and one Indonesian, he added.
SAC Rosli said the operation, the result of intelligence gathered by Bukit Aman FRU and the Kota Baru Land and Mines Office, succeeded in busting illegal gold mining.
The suspects also failed to produce valid travel documents, he said.
"Also seized in the operation was a hydraulic excavator worth almost RM450,000 as well as mining machinery and equipment.
"The total value of the seizures is estimated at RM510,021.
"The case is being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Section 425 of the National Land Code 1965, while all suspects were handed over to the police for further action. The seized items were handed over to the Land and Mines Office," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Sept 9).
SAC Rosli said the operation was the result of the implementation of bureaucratic reforms which emphasises a more integrated approach with the involvement of various agencies.
"Operations such as this prove the commitment of the Royal Malaysia Police and other enforcement agencies in combating illegal mining activities, which are detrimental to the country.
"We will continue to intensify integrated operations from time to time so that the country's natural resources are always preserved," he said.
He stressed that the integrated action would not only have an impact from an enforcement perspective, but would also send a clear message that the authorities would come down hard on any attempt to encroach or exploit natural resources without permission. – Bernama
