Latest news with #Enggihon
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd denies misconduct by CEO
Published on: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 22, 2025 By: FMT Text Size: Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) has firmly denied allegations of misconduct involving its Chief Executive Officer, Natasha Sim, and Company Secretary, Emily Chong, following the circulation of a photo showing both women beside a private aircraft during an official visit abroad. The image, which has recently resurfaced online, was reportedly taken during an August 2024 working visit to Indonesia as part of an ongoing foreign direct investment (FDI) engagement. In a statement, SMM described the public and media speculation surrounding the image as 'false, misleading and defamatory.' The company clarified that the visit was part of a formal engagement process with a prospective foreign investor, initiated in March 2023 by then-CEO Jonih Enggihon. According to SMM, Enggihon had recommended collaboration with the Indonesian mining conglomerate after a due diligence visit and Board approval was granted in February 2024. Following the approval, Sim who was serving as Chief Strategy Officer at the time was appointed by the Board to lead discussions on the potential partnership. 'The August 2024 trip, during which the photo in question was taken, was one of several working visits related to the FDI process. 'Both Sim and Chong had voluntarily cooperated with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in December 2024, submitting detailed statements and documentation about the trip. 'An independent internal inquiry concluded in February 2025 found no evidence of wrongdoing, conflict of interest, or personal gain by any SMM officer involved. 'SMM is not a licensing authority, and our CEO has no power to approve or grant licenses,' the company noted. The company further alleged that the renewed attention may be politically motivated. It pointed to an ongoing legal suit filed by SMM against Enggihon and businessman Datuk Albert Tei, accusing them of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, tampering with official documents, and conspiracy to injure the company. 'These allegations appear to recycle matters already under judicial scrutiny and could be part of a broader campaign to discredit SMM and its leadership,' the statement read. SMM urged the public, media, and political figures to verify facts before echoing unfounded claims. It also issued a warning that it would pursue legal action against any party disseminating defamatory or malicious falsehoods. 'We will not hesitate to take legal steps against individuals, media outlets, or public figures who continue to spread baseless accusations,' the company said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
SMM denies baseless allegations in viral jet photo
KOTA KINABALU (July 21): Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) has denied recent media reports and public statements regarding a photo circulating online, allegedly showing its Chief Executive Officer, Natasha Sim, and Company Secretary, Emily Chong, beside a private aircraft during an official working visit. These reports referenced SMM's dealings with a prospective foreign investor. SMM clarified in a statement today that the first working visit to Indonesia — to the mining conglomerate's headquarters — was initiated in March 2023 by then-CEO Jonith Enggihon as part of due diligence efforts on a potential collaboration. In December 2023, Enggihon formally recommended the partnership to SMM's Board of Directors, citing the Indonesian company's exemplary mining practices. Following Board approval in February 2024, Sim (then Chief Strategy Officer) was appointed as the lead liaison to facilitate discussions on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The subsequent working visit in August 2024 — during which the circulated photo was taken — was part of this ongoing FDI engagement. In December 2024, Sim and Chong proactively cooperated with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) after the issue was first raised by the media. They submitted detailed statements and documentary evidence related to the work trip. Furthermore, an independent internal inquiry, conducted and concluded in February 2025, found no wrongdoing. The inquiry confirmed that there was no conflict of interest, personal gain, or undue influence involved. SMM said the negative insinuations of misconduct in these media reports are entirely false, misleading, and defamatory. Categorically denying any wrongdoing occurred, SMM clarified that it is not a licensing authority, and the CEO holds no legal or administrative power to grant or approve licenses, it explained SMM has reason to believe that the sudden re-emergence of this issue may be politically motivated, especially as it is linked to ongoing legal proceedings initiated by SMM against Enggihon and businessman Albert Tei. The duo are being sued for, among other matters, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, tampering with official documents, and conspiracy to injure. The current wave of public allegations appears to recycle issues already under judicial scrutiny and may be part of a broader campaign to harm the company and its officers. SMM urges members of the media, politicians, and the public to exercise caution and verify facts before repeating potentially defamatory claims. Should these baseless accusations continue to circulate, SMM will not hesitate to initiate legal action against any party — including media outlets, public figures, or individuals — for defamation and malicious falsehood.
