Ex-SMM CEO to sue successor, claims firm confirms her private jet trip

Former Sabah Mineral Management (SMM) chief executive officer Jontih Enggihon revealed that he would file an RM30 million lawsuit against his successor Natasha Sim and other officials from the firm.

He said this was in response to SMM accusing him of fraud, misconduct and breach of fiduciary duties, as well as initiating legal action against him.

Jontih (above) also claimed that a director from the Indonesian apex firm had confirmed that Natasha, her husband, and another SMM official were onboard the private jet which flew several people to Balikpapan, Indonesia, in August 2024.

“After verifying with one of the directors from the Indonesian apex company yesterday, Natasha’s and (the other official’s) attendance on that flight is confirmed.

“However, according to the director, they were not on the invitation list, and he was unaware of their attendance. This is insanely suspicious and ridiculous,” he added in a statement.

In turn, Sim told Malaysiakini that SMM stands by its accusations against Jontih and will proceed with legal action.

“On his personal and malicious attacks me, he should expect a defamation suit to be filed against him,” she added.

Last week, Jontih filed a police report against Sim regarding the trip, which he estimated to cost around RM400,000.

He claimed that Sim, who was SMM’s chief strategy officer at the time, accepted the trip without disclosing it to SMM’s management. Jontih was still the CEO at the time.

The trip also allegedly involved timber trader Elbert Lim, and his two children. The report mentioned that Lim and the Indonesian company involved were applying for a prospecting licence from SMM.

Sim had denied the allegations, describing them as “baseless and malicious allegations. She said the allegations appeared to be a deliberate attempt intended to injure my character and reputation.

Malaysiakini is withholding the name of the other SMM official pending her response.

Spurious allegations

Jontih claimed that the latest information revealed that Sim and the other official had “conspired” since August or earlier to frame him for their personal interests.

“They most likely conspired with the third party to manipulate this,” he added.

Defending himself, Jontih claimed that the allegations against him were spurious and that he had evidence to substantiate his claims against Sim and the other official.

“I have solid proof(s) of voice recordings that (the other official) intentionally prepared meeting minutes and/ or respective document(s) that misinterpreted the board's decision to frame me up against the accusations while Sim deliberately used the outdated documents intending to deceive the management and board of SMM.

“Their motives are very obvious after linking back to the privileged private jet trip. They have severely violated their responsibilities as a public official and even the governance standards,” he added.

Jontih, who was accompanied by his lawyer, also filed a report with MACC against Natasha and the other official this afternoon.

“I would like to urge the relevant authorities to conduct an in-depth investigation into this incident. This is a severe crime.

“SMM’s announcement and the groundless accusation have severely damaged my reputation and caused me irrevocable mental damage,” he added.

Thus, he said he is working with a lawyer to initiate a civil suit against SMM, Sim, and the other SMM official for the “reputational damages, mental damages, and anguish” they had allegedly caused.

“I will file for a claim of RM10 million separately against them, a total of RM30 million,” he said.

Full cooperation

As for the MACC report lodged against him, Jontih said he extended full cooperation to the authorities.

“I am confident that I am innocent, and justice will be served,” he added.

Jontih had also lodged a MACC report against Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, whom he had accused of abusing his power, and claimed to have evidence against him.

“I have minutes from the SMM board of directors meetings, printed briefing notes to the chief minister and text messages from the chief minister,” he said.

This was in the wake of the MACC report lodged against Jontih accusing him of colluding with the whistleblower behind the videos implicating several Sabah assemblypersons.

It was alleged that Hajiji was disappointed to learn of this purported collusion and decided not to renew Jontih’s contract.

• 'Corruption' videos: Warisan tells MACC to remand those implicated

• Sabah rep claims video edited, appears 'kurang handsome'

• Behold the RM75.90 camera pen from Shopee rocking Sabah

• Masidi denies 'RM300k in bag' allegation, says he doesn't recall conversation

• Sabah videos Part 3: 'RM400k in cash ma', 'RM360k small amount'

• Sabah videos Part 2: 'RM450k used to settle debts', 'I can return RM500k'

• Sabah videos Part 1: 'RM300k in bag' and 'RM500k in instalments'

Sabah rep claims video edited, appears 'kurang handsome'

Whistleblower exposé: Sabah Umno wings call for Hajiji to resign, set up RCI

Behold the RM75.90 camera pen from Shopee rocking Sabah

'Money talks': Whistleblower releases full videos on Sabah scandal

Sabah 'scandal': Enter Shafee, veteran lawyer to represent whistleblower

Ex-SMM CEO acted contrary to board's decisions, says Hajiji