RANTAU PANJANG: The General Operations Force (GOF) has recorded 10 cases of illegal gold mining activities across three states this year, involving the seizure of nearly RM9 million of items.
GOF Southeast Brigade commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said 53 people were detained in the operations carried out in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.
He said the arrests consisted of 52 men and one woman comprising both Malaysians and foreign nationals.
Of the total people arrested, 37 were Malaysians, 13 Indonesians, two Cambodians and one Myanmar national.
“The overall value of seizures from the operations amounted to nearly RM9 million,” he said.
Based on GOF records, Radzi added that Kelantan and Terengganu had the highest number of cases among the states.
“Both Kelantan and Terengganu recorded four cases each of gold mining activities.
“While Pahang only recorded two cases,” he said.
He said investigations showed that the illegal mining sites were mostly operated by individuals rather than organised syndicates.
“The operations uncovered that these illegal mines are run independently.
“However, their activities pose serious risks to forest reserves and river ecosystems in Kelantan and Terengganu, which remain the most affected,” he added.
Radzi said the GOF would continue to carry out patrols and joint operations with other enforcement agencies to curb illegal mining, particularly in remote forest areas.
Deputy Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohamed Fadzli Hassan recently said
residents in the state would be allowed to pan for gold on state-owned land, with licenses issued under strict conditions.
Fadzli said licenses will be issued for the activity under strict terms.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
