Latest news with #SMM
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Portal is sued over allegation
Published on: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 26, 2025 Text Size: SMM accused MalaysiaNow of publishing 'numerous allegations which are false, misleading, and defamatory' regarding the purported awarding of a Prospecting Licence (PL) to Bumi Suria, a company linked to prominent businessman and former political aide Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) has initiated legal proceedings against news portal MalaysiaNow over allegedly false and defamatory reports concerning the politically-linked company Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd. In a statement, SMM accused MalaysiaNow of publishing 'numerous allegations which are false, misleading, and defamatory' regarding the purported awarding of a Prospecting Licence (PL) to Bumi Suria, a company linked to prominent businessman and former political aide Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak. 'At no point in time did MalaysiaNow seek SMM's clarification prior to the publication. 'The publications were biased, one-sided, and represent a calculated attempt by MalaysiaNow to defame SMM, its directors, and officers,' SMM stated, adding that it would pursue legal action against any other media outlet that republishes the claims. The lawsuit comes after a series of articles and videos by MalaysiaNow suggesting that SMM had improperly awarded a prospecting licence to Bumi Suria for a 70,000-hectare forest reserve area in Kalabakan and Gunung Rara. SMM rebutted this, reiterating that it has no legal power to issue prospecting or mining licences. It stressed that this authority lies solely with the Sabah Department of Lands and Surveys (JTU) under the Sabah Mining Ordinance 1960. JTU Director Datuk Bernard Liew later confirmed that no mineral-related licence had ever been issued to Bumi Suria. Instead, SMM clarified that it had only issued a 'Conditional Letter of Permission to Apply for a Prospecting Licence' to Bumi Suria following internal board deliberations, stressing that this document did not amount to an approval or issuance of any licence. 'SMM's role is strictly limited to issuing conditional letters of permission to apply for a licence,' it said, adding that such a letter would only be issued after the agency's board of directors had convened to review the application. 'This letter does not confer or award any licence. Interested applicants must submit complete documentation and undergo due diligence by SMM before other related government agencies conduct further checks,' it said. The agency said it had, in the exercise of its functions, considered Bumi Suria's application and issued conditional approval for its application. 'Bumi Suria did not proceed to formally submit any of the required documents for an application,' it added. Consequently, on March 24, 2025, SMM issued an official letter revoking the permission to apply. 'These facts were maliciously omitted by MalaysiaNow,' the agency said. SMM also took issue with the use of a photo of its chief executive officer, Natasha Sim, and her name in connection with an audio recording that they claim does not feature her voice and is not associated with her. 'This deliberate act of misrepresentation is unacceptable and unethical,' it said. The issue has drawn public scrutiny, particularly as SMM has been embroiled in controversy since a series of leaked videos and audio recordings emerged, alleging corrupt practices in the awarding of licences and implicating several Sabah politicians. Two state assemblymen, Datuk Yusof Yaacob (Sindumin) and Datuk Andy Suryady Bandy (Tanjung Batu), are currently facing corruption charges over the scandal. Farhash, a former aide to PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has denied allegations that he owned Bumi Suria and that the company had been awarded a mineral prospecting or exploration licence. While confirming he is a director and shareholder, his lawyers have demanded the articles be removed. * 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
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
SMM sues MalaysiaNow for defamation, denies issuing mining licence to politically-linked firm
KOTA KINABALU, July 25 — Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) has initiated legal proceedings against news portal MalaysiaNow over allegedly false and defamatory reports concerning the politically-linked company Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd. In a statement, SMM accused MalaysiaNow of publishing 'numerous allegations which are false, misleading, and defamatory' regarding the purported awarding of a prospecting licence (PL) to Bumi Suria, a company linked to prominent businessman and former political aide Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak. 'At no point in time did MalaysiaNow seek SMM's clarification prior to the publication. The publications were biased, one-sided, and represent a calculated attempt by MalaysiaNow to defame SMM, its directors, and officers,' SMM stated, adding that it would pursue legal action against any other media outlet that republishes the claims. The lawsuit comes after a series of articles and videos by MalaysiaNow suggesting that SMM had improperly awarded a prospecting licence to Bumi Suria for a 70,000-hectare forest reserve area in Kalabakan and Gunung Rara. SMM rebutted this, reiterating that it has no legal power to issue prospecting or mining licences. It stressed that this authority lies solely with the Sabah Department of Lands and Surveys (JTU) under the Sabah Mining Ordinance 1960. JTU director Datuk Bernard Liew noted this yesterday when saying that no mineral-related licence had ever been issued to Bumi Suria. Instead, SMM clarified that it had only issued a 'Conditional Letter of Permission to Apply for a Prospecting Licence' to Bumi Suria following internal board deliberations, stressing that this document was not an approval or the issuance of any licence. 'However, Bumi Suria did not proceed to formally submit any of the required documents for an application. Consequently, on March 24, 2025, SMM issued an official letter of cancellation of permission to apply to Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd. 'These facts were maliciously omitted by MalaysiaNow,' SMM said. SMM also took issue with the use of a photo of its chief executive officer, Natasha Sim, and her name in connection with an audio recording that they claim does not feature her voice and is not associated with her. 'This deliberate act of misrepresentation is unacceptable and unethical,' it said. The issue has drawn public scrutiny, particularly as SMM has been embroiled in controversy since a series of leaked videos and audio recordings emerged, alleging corrupt practices in the awarding of licences and implicating several Sabahan politicians. Two state assemblymen, Datuk Yusof Yaacob (Sindumin) and Datuk Andy Suryady Bandy (Tanjung Batu), are currently facing corruption charges over the scandal. Farhash, a former aide to PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has denied allegations that he owned Bumi Suria and that the company had been awarded a mineral prospecting or exploration licence. While confirming he is a director and shareholder, his lawyers have demanded the articles be removed.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
SMM sues MalaysiaNow for defamation, denies issuing mining licence to politically-linked firm
KOTA KINABALU, July 25 — Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) has initiated legal proceedings against news portal MalaysiaNow over allegedly false and defamatory reports concerning the politically-linked company Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd. In a statement, SMM accused MalaysiaNow of publishing 'numerous allegations which are false, misleading, and defamatory' regarding the purported awarding of a prospecting licence (PL) to Bumi Suria, a company linked to prominent businessman and former political aide Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak. 'At no point in time did MalaysiaNow seek SMM's clarification prior to the publication. The publications were biased, one-sided, and represent a calculated attempt by MalaysiaNow to defame SMM, its directors, and officers,' SMM stated, adding that it would pursue legal action against any other media outlet that republishes the claims. The lawsuit comes after a series of articles and videos by MalaysiaNow suggesting that SMM had improperly awarded a prospecting licence to Bumi Suria for a 70,000-hectare forest reserve area in Kalabakan and Gunung Rara. SMM rebutted this, reiterating that it has no legal power to issue prospecting or mining licences. It stressed that this authority lies solely with the Sabah Department of Lands and Surveys (JTU) under the Sabah Mining Ordinance 1960. JTU director Datuk Bernard Liew noted this yesterday when saying that no mineral-related licence had ever been issued to Bumi Suria. Instead, SMM clarified that it had only issued a 'Conditional Letter of Permission to Apply for a Prospecting Licence' to Bumi Suria following internal board deliberations, stressing that this document was not an approval or the issuance of any licence. 'However, Bumi Suria did not proceed to formally submit any of the required documents for an application. Consequently, on March 24, 2025, SMM issued an official letter of cancellation of permission to apply to Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd. 'These facts were maliciously omitted by MalaysiaNow,' SMM said. SMM also took issue with the use of a photo of its chief executive officer, Natasha Sim, and her name in connection with an audio recording that they claim does not feature her voice and is not associated with her. 'This deliberate act of misrepresentation is unacceptable and unethical,' it said. The issue has drawn public scrutiny, particularly as SMM has been embroiled in controversy since a series of leaked videos and audio recordings emerged, alleging corrupt practices in the awarding of licences and implicating several Sabahan politicians. Two state assemblymen, Datuk Yusof Yaacob (Sindumin) and Datuk Andy Suryady Bandy (Tanjung Batu), are currently facing corruption charges over the scandal. Farhash, a former aide to PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has denied allegations that he owned Bumi Suria and that the company had been awarded a mineral prospecting or exploration licence. While confirming he is a director and shareholder, his lawyers have demanded the articles be removed.
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
SMM takes legal action against MalaysiaNow over alleged defamatory publications
KOTA KINABALU (July 25): Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) has initiated legal action against MalaysiaNow over a series of articles and videos it claims are defamatory, false and misleading. The publications alleged that SMM had awarded a prospecting license to Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd, an accusation SMM strongly denies. In a statement on Friday, SMM said MalaysiaNow had failed to seek clarification or comment from the company prior to publication. 'The publications were biased, one-sided, and appear to be a calculated attempt to defame SMM, its directors, and officers,' it said. To clarify the matter, SMM outlined the following points: 1. SMM Has No Authority to Issue Prospecting Licences Under the Sabah Mining Ordinance 1960, only the Department of Lands and Surveys Sabah (JTU) has jurisdiction to issue such licences. This was confirmed by the JTU director in a press statement dated 24 July 2025. No licence — prospecting or otherwise — has ever been issued to Bumi Suria. 2. SMM's Role and Jurisdiction SMM acts as a central management body appointed by the State Government to conduct technical and financial due diligence on licence applications and monitor regulatory compliance. SMM may issue a Conditional Letter of Permission to Apply for a Prospecting Licence after deliberation by its Board of Directors, but this letter does not confer any licence. Applicants must undergo due diligence and submit documentation for further review by the relevant government agencies.
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Daily Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
No such mining permit issued: Sabah Lands and Surveys Department
Published on: Friday, July 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 25, 2025 Text Size: Bernard and Farhash. PETALING JAYA: The Sabah Lands and Surveys Department clarified that no mineral prospecting licence had been issued to Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd, the company linked to businessman Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak. Director Datuk Bernard Liew said no prospecting licence was awarded to the company under the Sabah Mining Ordinance 1960 and that allegations claiming otherwise were baseless. He added that the department was the authoritative body governing mining in the Bornean state. 'Any mineral exploration activity in Sabah can only be conducted after obtaining a legitimate licence issued under Sections 6 and 8 of the Sabah Mining Ordinance. And this is subject to technical conditions and other relevant laws that are already in place. The department views seriously any statement made via the media that can mislead the public,' he said in a statement. MalaysiaNow had reported that Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) had awarded Bumi Suria an exploration licence for coal mining. The report said it had been granted exclusive rights to explore and search for minerals on 70,000ha of forest reserve in Kalabakan and Gunung Rara near the Kalimantan border. SMM CEO Natasha Sim earlier said the state government agency was not a licence-awarding body, nor did it have jurisdiction to award or issue licences. On Monday, Farhash said his lawyers had served MalaysiaNow with a cease and desist letter, saying allegations that he owned Bumi Suria and that the company had been awarded a mineral prospecting or exploration licence in Sabah were false and defamatory. The lawyers said Farhash was merely a director and shareholder of Bumi Suria, and demanded that the article be removed from the website and all social media channels. * 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
