Private Jet Photo Ignites New Storm In Sabah

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A viral photo showing individuals with luggage beside a private jet has triggered a fresh political storm, this time centred around state-owned Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM).
The image allegedly features SMM CEO Natasha Sim, the company’s secretary Emily Chong, and Sabah timber tycoon Elbert Lim standing next to a jet said to belong to an Indonesian coal magnate.
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.
“SMM, chaired by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, has already been embroiled in a mining scandal involving 13 of his assemblypersons, the state legislative assembly speaker, and a party presiding within his Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition.
ADS“Now, the sudden emergence of this ‘private jet scandal’ involves the two highest-ranking administrative officers in SMM, a company fully owned by the Sabah state government,” said the Tanjong representative.
Warisan’s Tanjong assemblyperson Justin WongMalaysiakini has reached out to Sim and the Chief Minister’s Office for comment regarding the image.
Sim had previously denied the private jet allegation when her predecessor, Jontih Enggihon, lodged a police report on Nov 29 last year.
“I categorically and unequivocally deny all allegations of wrongdoing against me. These are baseless and malicious allegations which appear to be a deliberate attempt intended to injure my character and reputation.
“I welcome and will give my full cooperation to any investigation in this matter,” she had said.
Jontih’s report alleged abuse of power, corruption, and conflict of interest, claiming Sim accepted a lavish private jet trip in August, without notifying SMM’s board, from the Indonesian firm. The trip was estimated to cost RM400,000 and allegedly included her husband.
SMM has also filed legal action against Jontih and whistleblower businessperson Albert Tei, who exposed the 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.
Former SMM CEO Jontih EnggihonDeeper concerns
Wong now raises deeper concerns: Was the CEO who approved the license for the Indonesian tycoon also a passenger on his private jet?
“Is this an act of corruption and misconduct in her role as CEO of a state-owned company?
“The second question: Why was Sim, who also approved the licence for (Elbert) Lim, allowed to (purportedly) travel together with him abroad on the same private jet owned by the Indonesian tycoon?
“What is the special relationship between Sim, Lim, and the Indonesian tycoon that warranted a private jet flight costing hundreds of thousands of ringgit? This activity represents a serious conflict of interest and contains clear elements of corruption and misconduct,” he added.
Wong demanded that Hajiji, as chairperson of SMM, provide a public explanation and urged MACC to open an investigation. - Mkini

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