SMM police report exposes 'fake news' claim, says Sabah Bersatu leader

A Sabah Bersatu leader has questioned the police probe of MalaysiaNow for allegedly leaking confidential information, in connection with its report last month linking a former aide to the prime minister to a mineral exploration licence scandal in Sabah.

Nabila Norsahar, who is the state Bersatu Young Women’s wing chief, pointed out that Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) chief executive officer Natasha Sim had previously dismissed the report on Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak as untrue.

“Ironically, SMM has now lodged a police report over the very documents that were exposed by the media.

“Not only that, the police have since called the MalaysiaNow editor for questioning under Section 203A of the Penal Code for leaking confidential documents.

“This raised a fundamental question. If the news were untrue and documents were fake, why file a police report for breach of confidentiality?” Nabila (above) said in a statement.

Adding further, she claimed that the investigation confirmed what many have suspected - that the MalaysiaNow report was authentic.

She also urged MACC to investigate the matter immediately.

“Enough with the smoke and mirrors. The people are watching and we are not fools!” Nabila stressed.

Yesterday, it was reported that police have summoned the editor of MalaysiaNow for questioning over the report.

According to the news portal, a police officer in Kota Kinabalu had informed them that the investigation follows a complaint lodged by SMM, the state agency headed by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, which is at the centre of the scandal.

“An article has been published in MalaysiaNow about SMM, which is said to contain confidential documents,” police reportedly told MalaysiaNow’s editor in a message, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 203A of the Penal Code for leaking confidential documents.

The news portal reported that it is also being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998, for improper use of network facilities and services.

Warisan: Where is justice when journalists probed but VVIPs roam free?

MalaysiaNow probed over Sabah project exposé involving Farhash

MP urges MACC to speak up over latest mining scandal in Sabah

Sabah Bersatu wants full disclosure over mining, private jet scandals

Facebook removed viral MalaysiaNow clip for policy violation: MCMC

Fahmi says 'refer to MCMC' on MalaysiaNow video takedown request