KELANTAN will no longer need to rely on logging for revenue if the plan to mine non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE), which is said to be worth RM125 billion, takes off, Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said.

He also said oil and petroleum revenues could also drive Kelantan’s economy. 

However the state government was still at the discussion stage on the NR-REE issue.

“If the state government can reap the benefits from NR-REE, we in Kelantan can get a high income without relying on other resources and there is no need for us to cut logs anymore.

“Many thought logging was the state government’s number one (source of) revenue, but it’s actually our third. The first and second are tax-related revenues,” the Panchor assemblyman was quoted as saying in New Straits Times today.

Amar said this during a live interview on Kelantantv last night.

It was previously reported that three districts in Kelantan – Tanah Merah, Gua Musang and Jeli – had been identified as having NR-REE worth RM125 billion.

Kelantan remains the second poorest state in Malaysia after Sabah. The PAS-led state government has been accused of allowing widespread logging to boost state coffers. – June 14, 2023.