SMM: Bumi Suria's licence cancelled, we will sue

Sabah Mineral Management (SMM) refers to recent articles and videos published by MalaysiaNow in relation to SMM’s alleged award of prospecting license to Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd.

The publicatons by MalaysiaNow contains numerous allegatons which are false, misleading, and defamatory. At no point in time did MalaysiaNow seek SMM’s clarification prior to the publications. 

The publications were bias, one sided, and is a calculated attempt by MalaysiaNow to defame SMM, its directors and officers.

In the interest of transparency and to ensure the public receives accurate information, SMM wishes to clarify the following:

1. SMM has no authority to issue prospecting licencesSMM does not have legal rights to issue any form of prospecting licence. Under the Sabah Mining Ordinance 1960, this jurisdiction lies with the Department of Lands and Surveys Sabah (JTU). As confirmed by the Director of JTU in a press statement dated 24 July 2025, no prospecting licence or any other mineral-related licence has ever been issued to Bumi Suria.

2. SMM’s role and jurisdictionSMM is tasked by the state government as the central management hub to facilitate and conduct technical and financial due diligence on license applications, monitoring of oversights and various regulatory compliances in the mining industry in Sabah.

In the matter of applications of licences, SMM’s role is strictly limited to issuing a conditional letter of permission to apply for a Prospecting Licence after the board of directors’ meeting has convened. 

This letter does not confer the issuance or award of any licences. Interested applicants must submit complete documentation and undergo due diligence by SMM before other related government agencies conduct further checks.

3. Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd’s conditional approval to apply was cancelledIn exercise of its function, SMM considered Bumi Suria’s application and imposed conditions on the land area applied by Bumi Suria with an approval to apply. However, Bumi Suria did not proceed to formally submit any of the required documents for an application. Consequently, on 24 March 2025, SMM issued an official Letter of Cancellation of Permission to Apply to Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd. These facts were maliciously omitted by MalaysiaNow in the publications.

4. Misuse of imageMalaysiaNow has also wrongfully used the image of SMM’s Chief Executive Officer, Natasha Sim, by placing a photo and her name on an audio recording that is not her voice or associated with her. This deliberate act of misrepresentation is unacceptable and unethical. 

Again, MalaysiaNow has failed, refused, and neglected to conduct any checks with SMM or Natasha affected before the publication.

SMM cautions all media pla????orms and individuals against reproducing or referring to the publication by MalaysiaNow, which are demonstrably false, misleading, and defamatory.

SMM has also instructed its solicitors to initiate defamation proceedings against MalaysiaNow and every subsequent portal that republishes the same.