Former minister Zainuddin Maidin continues to weigh into the bauxite scandal, with regard to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) dragnet on those responsible for the rampant illegal mining in Kuantan, Pahang.
In his latest tweet today, he responded to Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who expressed hope that the culprits would be apprehended.
"(We) can talk, but how to arrest (the culprit) if (the person) has absolute immunity (kebal belaka)," said Zainuddin, who is better known as Zam.
"It is better for Khairy to remain silent in the bauxite issue instead of giving false hope to the people," he added.
Previously, the former minister had asked if MACC was only interested in casting its net on the 'ikan bilis' or anchovies instead of the big fish.
"Why not nab the one at the very top (of the scandal) whose name is going viral from mouth to mouth," he said, without mentioning the person.
Posting a photograph depicting Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob with his hands on his head, Zainuddin urged the state leader to come clean on the matter.
"This (the photo) shows how heavy the bauxite sin is on the MB's head. He must expose who has the biggest interest," he said.
Over the weekend, MACC director of investigations Azam Baki vowed to arrest all those responsible for the illegal mining.
Responding to a question on the involvement of big shots in the issue, he said, "I heard about that when we started our probe, but let me keep it close to my chest first.”
"Rest assured, MACC has no issues with going after the big fish. We will get to the bottom of it, irrespective of who they are,” he added.
MACC has arrested five Pahang Land and Mines Department officers and three individuals who acted as runners so far.
Azam also disagreed with the claim that the MACC was only zeroing in on the small fry.
"We don't treat them as 'ikan bilis', considering the extent of the damage they had caused and the enormity of the damage.
"We don't care who they are, but those responsible for what happened in Kuantan will have to face the music," he said.
The federal government has imposed a three-month moratorium on bauxite mining.
