Latest news with #SabahMineralManagement
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
SMM blasts ‘politically motivated' allegations surrounding viral photo, threatens legal action
Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd has refuted any wrongdoing arising from a photograph that has gone viral recently, saying it was taken during a working visit to Indonesia in August 2024. PETALING JAYA : Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) has threatened legal action against media outlets and others over the continued publication of 'false, misleading, and defamatory' allegations stemming from a now-viral photograph of its officials. In a statement addressing the photo which features current CEO Natasha Sim alongside several officials, the state-owned agency said: 'SMM unequivocally denies that any wrongdoing occurred.' It described the controversy as 'politically motivated' and part of a 'broader campaign to damage the company and its officers'. 'Should these baseless accusations continue to circulate, we will not hesitate to initiate legal action, including against media outlets for defamation and malicious falsehood,' the statement read. SMM noted that the allegations relate to an ongoing lawsuit involving Sim's predecessor, Jontih Enggihon, and businessman Albert Tei. The suit includes claims of 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,' it said. It clarified that the photograph was taken during a working visit in August 2024 as part of foreign direct investment discussions with a mining conglomerate in Indonesia. The visit followed board approval in February 2024 and was led by Sim, then serving as chief strategy officer. It added that the first trip to the conglomerate's base had occurred in March 2023, and was initiated by Jontih as part of a due diligence exercise. The partnership was formally recommended to the board by Jontih in December 2023. On July 18, Malaysiakini reported that the now viral photograph had 'triggered a fresh political storm'. Apart from Sim, the photograph featured SMM secretary Emily Chong and Sabah timber tycoon Elbert Lim next to a private jet. The portal quoted Warisan assemblyman Justin Wong as claiming the photo had sparked a new scandal engulfing SMM.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
SMM denies report on mining licence for Bumi Suria
Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd said it does not have the jurisdiction to award or issue licences. (Sabah Mineral Management pic) PETALING JAYA : Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) has denied a news report claiming that it awarded an exploration licence to a company owned by businessman Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak. In a statement to FMT, SMM CEO Natasha Sim said the state government agency was not a licence-awarding body. 'Nor do we have jurisdiction to award or issue licences,' she said. Earlier today, MalaysiaNow reported that SMM had awarded Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd an exploration licence for coal mining. According to the portal, Bumi Suria is jointly owned by Farhash and Aminuddin Mustapha. The report said it had been granted exclusive rights to explore and search for minerals on 70,000 hectares in the Kalabakan and Gunung Rara forest reserves near the Kalimantan border. However, Sim said that Bumi Suria had never been issued or awarded any prospecting licence by the state government.
Malaysiakini
4 days ago
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Did SMM board, Hajiji greenlight 'private jet' trip, Sabah Umno leader asks
Sabah Umno raised concerns over Sabah Mineral Management (SMM) CEO Natasha Sim's alleged RM400,000 luxury trip on a private jet, asking if it was approved by the board of directors or Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor. Sabah Umno strategic communications director Datu Rosman Datu Ahir Zaman urged the government-linked company (GLC) to clarify the alleged trip's purpose - whether it was an official working visit, an investment negotiation, or for backroom negotiations.
