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.
ADSSabah 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.
“All these questions need to be answered because it not only affects the reputation of SMM but also affects the people’s trust in the ability of the Sabah government led by Hajiji to manage the GLC and the state’s natural resources with integrity.
“I think as a GLC responsible for managing mineral resources in Sabah, integrity and accountability as well as transparency in carrying out operations must be in line with the law and ethical standards,” he said in a statement today.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported on a viral photo showing individuals - including Sim, SSM secretary Emily Chong, and Sabah timber tycoon Elbert Lim - with luggage beside a private jet.
Sim previously denied the private jet allegation when her predecessor, Jontih Enggihon, lodged a police report on Nov 29 last year, alleging abuse of power, corruption, and conflict of interest and claiming that the CEO accepted a lavish private jet trip from an Indonesian firm in August, without notifying SMM’s board.
Former SMM CEO Jontih EnggihonThe trip was estimated to cost RM400,000 and allegedly included her husband.
SMM has also filed legal action against Enggihon and whistleblower businessperson Albert Tei, who exposed an alleged mining scandal, accusing them of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, tampering with official documents, conspiracy to injure by unlawful means, and possible collusion with third parties.
Hidden interest?
Elaborating, Datu Rosman questioned whether Lim has a hidden interest in any of the projects or concessions involving Sabah’s natural resources.
“Was he involved in the process of ‘lobbying’ SMM to gain access to mineral concessions? What is the real connection between Lim and Sim?” he further asked.
He also asked whether the trip was sponsored by an Indonesian coal magnate, who allegedly owns the private jet.
Yesterday, Warisan assemblyperson Justin Wong described the photo as the spark of a new scandal engulfing SMM, a firm wholly owned by the Sabah state government and chaired by Hajiji.
He demanded a public explanation from Hajiji, pointing to the latter’s alleged involvement in the mining scandal associated with Tei. - Mkini

---