New Details Challenge Farhash S Claims As Sabah Mining Controversy Deepens

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MalaysiaNow has published documents allegedly proving that Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak received authorisation to prospect for minerals across a massive forest reserve in Sabah.
The revelation followed the prime minister’s former aide’s denial of the initial report and his decision to issue MalaysiaNow with a cease and desist order, alleging the publication had made false claims on the matter.
The news portal, in its latest report, said that the cache of evidence comprising correspondence, corporate filings, board minutes and an audio recording, was purportedly provided by an insider at Sabah Mineral Management (SMM) Sdn Bhd, the state licensing body led by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.
MalaysiaNow, however, said that it chose to withhold the purported audio clip, which would provide additional corroboration for its report.
Details in the Companies Commission (SSM) documents it published were also redacted, and only excerpts from the meeting minutes were made public.
The second news report was published after SMM denied granting any prospecting licence to companies connected to Farhash (above), who is a former Perak PKR chief.
SMM CEO Natasha Sim told Malaysiakini that based on records, no companies owned or linked to Farhash had been awarded such a licence.
Report paints a different picture
Referencing SSM documents it had secured, MalaysiaNow reported that the documents revealed Farhash's appointment to the board of Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd on May 7, 2024, along with businessperson Aminudin Mustapha.
Malaysiakini's checks on official company records found that Bumi Suria is owned by Borneo Bumi Sdn Bhd, which in turn is owned by Farhash and Aminudin. The duo serve as directors on both companies.
Within seven days of Farhash and Aminudin joining Bumi Suria's directorship, Hajiji allegedly convened an SMM board meeting with over a dozen participants.
Sabah CM Hajiji NoorAccording to the purported meeting minutes, attendees included senior SMM leadership such as then-CEO Jontih Enggihon and Sim, described as the "CSO".
ADSThe gathering also featured at least four business magnates and executive representatives from an Indonesian mining corporation.
"The meeting resolved to approve Bumi Suria's application for a prospective licence that granted it the exclusive right to explore coal covering some 70,000ha in the Kalabakan and Gunung Rara forest reserves near the Kalimantan border, an area almost three times the size of Kuala Lumpur.
"A letter dated May 21 last year informing Bumi Suria of the decision was signed by Jontih, followed by a letter dated June 7 from Farhash in which he thanked SMM for the licence approval," MalaysiaNow reported.
Joint exploration with Indonesian firm?
The report claimed that Farhash's correspondence included a memorandum of understanding between Bumi Suria and PT Bayan Resources, meeting the requirement for joint exploration with the Indonesian firm.
It said that PT Bayan Resources is a mining conglomerate controlled by Indonesia's coal tycoon and billionaire magnate Low Tuck Kwong, which operates through its domestic arm Bayan Resources, under the leadership of Indonesia-based Malaysian billionaire Lim Chai Hock.
The Sabah mineral prospecting licences are the subject of a massive corruption scandal, after multiple assemblypersons, including state ministers, were caught on video discussing alleged bribes with businessperson Albert Tei - who later blew the whistle on the alleged deals.
Two Sabah politicians, state assistant minister Andi Suryady Bandy and Qhazanah Sabah chairperson Yusof Yacob, have been charged with taking RM350,000 in bribes from Tei.
Bersatu calls for thorough probe
Following the reports, Sabah Bersatu Young Women chief Nabila Norsahar urged the MACC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into SMM's licence approvals regarding the Bumi Suria affair and the private jet scandal, both of which implicate SMM executives.
She pointed out that all parties and public officials involved in the scandals must be scrutinised for potential breach of law and ethics.
“The recent revelations involving SMM, have raised deeply troubling questions about governance, integrity, and transparency in the management of Sabah’s natural resources.
“I think the (Sabah) chief minister should not remain silent anymore, but give a clear explanation to the public, particularly on the question of whether SMM operates independently or merely serves as a rubber stamp for politically connected interests,” she said in a statement.
As a government-linked company, SMM owes the public a clear and transparent explanation, and the lack of silence only deepens the suspicion that the company has been compromised by political patronage, she said.
“⁠Public resources must not be traded for political favours, and government-linked entities must be reminded that they are accountable not to individuals in power, but to the rakyat.
“Sabah’s land, forests, and natural wealth belong to all anak Sabah - not to a select few with political connections,” she added. - Mkini

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