GLC CEO's alleged private jet trip: Sabah Bersatu Youth urges probe

Summary

• Sabah Bersatu Youth chief Mohammad Hisyam Hazaril calls on the MACC to investigate SMM CEO Natasha Sim over a viral photo allegedly showing her with timber tycoon Elbert Lim near a private jet, raising concerns over conflict of interest.

• He calls the incident a "governance failure" and urges for internal audits and temporary suspensions pending inquiry, emphasising that public institutions must not prioritise private interests over public trust and accountability.

• This follows a viral photo allegedly depicting Sim with Sabah timber tycoon Elbert Lim with a private jet said to belong to an Indonesian coal magnate.

Sabah Bersatu Youth called for the MACC to probe a viral photo allegedly depicting the CEO of a state-owned firm with a private jet said to be owned by an Indonesian coal magnate.

In a strongly worded statement, Sabah Bersatu Youth chief Hisyam Hazaril expressed deep concern over what he described as “serious red flags” stemming from the actions of Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd CEO Natasha Sim.

He believed such actions may compromise the integrity of public institutions.

“At the core of any public-serving institution, particularly a government-linked company (GLC), is the expectation of integrity, impartiality, and adherence to ethical governance.

“By engaging in what appears to be a conflict of interest, the CEO and personnel have undermined not only public trust, but potentially breached their fiduciary duties,” Hisyam (above) said today.

This comes after the photo, which also allegedly featured Sabah timber tycoon Elbert Lim and SMM secretary Emily Chong, depicted the group with luggage standing beside the plane.

Sim previously denied the private jet allegation when her predecessor, Jontih Enggihon, lodged a police report on Nov 29 last year.

Jontih’s report alleged abuse of power, corruption, and conflict of interest, claiming Sim accepted a lavish private jet trip from an Indonesian firm in August, without notifying SMM’s board.

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 a purported 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.

‘Implications for public confidence’

Meanwhile, Hisyam called for an internal audit to be conducted immediately and for the temporary suspension of the individuals involved pending the inquiry’s outcome.

“This is not merely an issue of improper conduct; it is a governance failure with implications for public confidence, investor trust, and the rule of law.

“The public deserves clarity, accountability, and a firm assurance that GLCs do not serve private interests at the expense of public resources,” he asserted.

Hisyam underscored that prospecting licences involve natural resources of great economic and environmental impact. As such, any hint of preferential treatment or special access jeopardises the credibility of the system, he added.

“Such behaviour suggests an environment where decisions may be influenced by personal relationships or material benefits, instead of merit, compliance, or due diligence, which contradicts the principles of transparency and good governance expected of public institutions,” he said.

Earlier today, 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 Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.

He demanded a public explanation from Hajiji, pointing to the latter’s alleged involvement in the mining scandal associated with Tei.

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