Warisan Rep Asks Sabah Glc Who Paid For The Private Jet

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Warisan assemblyperson Justin Wong is refusing to let the private jet scandal buffeting Sabah Mineral Management (SMM) land quietly, keeping the pressure on the state-owned firm as the turbulence shows no sign of easing.
Citing a “lack of transparency over travel costs”, he asked: “Who paid for the private jet?”
“In a time when public confidence in GLCs is low, this omission is serious. If the trip was funded by a foreign investor or private party, especially during a sensitive investment negotiation, it raises serious concerns about undue influence or soft corruption,” he added in a statement.
Wong (above) also cast doubt on SMM’s assurance that an internal inquiry found no wrongdoing, saying that in Sabah, such investigations by GLCs rarely meet public expectations of impartiality.
ADS“Without third-party oversight, the company is essentially grading its own exam and unsurprisingly giving itself full marks,” he added.
He further criticised SMM’s threat of legal action against individuals and media outlets, describing it as “excessive and troubling”.
Photograph allegedly showing SMM CEO Natasha Sim, company secretary Emily Chong, and Sabah timber tycoon Elbert Lim standing beside a jet purportedly owned by an Indonesian coal magnate.“In a democracy, scrutiny by journalists and whistleblowers is vital. Threatening legal consequences creates a chilling effect that discourages public accountability and mirrors the behaviour of entities that suppress criticism rather than address it,” he said.
Wong dismissed SMM’s claim of political motives behind the allegations as “classic deflection”.
“Pointing fingers at political motives behind the allegations is classic deflection. Even if political interests are at play, they do not erase valid questions about SMM’s governance, ethics, or spending.
“A responsible GLC should confront the allegations with facts and not distract with accusations of political conspiracy,” he added.
Even if no laws were broken, Wong argued that SMM had yet to address whether the use of a private jet aligned with the ethical standards expected of a GLC managing natural resources.
Drilling further into SMM’s response, Wong noted vague mentions of board approval but said no concrete details were offered.
“Who reviewed the expenses? Were minutes recorded, audits done, or any post-trip evaluations conducted? There is no disclosure of financial implications or outcomes from the trip.
“SMM was quick to deny wrongdoing but chose not to release any supporting documents, travel records, or the internal inquiry report. The public remains in the dark about the trip’s purpose, costs, and results.
“This selective disclosure only deepens public suspicion and makes the company appear as though it is curating its own narrative,” he added.
Private jet photo
ADSOn July 18, Malaysiakini reported Wong raising questions over a photograph allegedly showing SMM CEO Natasha Sim, company secretary Emily Chong, and Sabah timber tycoon Elbert Lim standing beside a jet purportedly owned by an Indonesian coal magnate.
SMM later said an internal inquiry found no evidence of conflict of interest, personal gain, or undue influence related to the incident.
The company also clarified that it is not a licensing authority and that its CEO does not have the power to grant or approve any licences.
SMM believes the resurfacing of the August 2024 photo may be politically motivated, citing its ongoing lawsuit against former CEO Jontih Enggihon and businessperson Albert Tei, who previously exposed a mining scandal in Sabah. - Mkini

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