BN vows forensic audit on Sabah Mineral Management to restore integrity

A FORENSIC audit on the state-owned firm overseeing the licensing and regulation of mineral resources, Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) would be among the first of actions Barisan Nasional if it returns to power after the Sabah election. 

UMNO Sabah Chief Information Officer and Libaran MP Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said the move is intended to restore transparency and accountability in how the state’s natural assets are managed, amid public concern over alleged irregularities and opaque approvals.

“Every approval, licence, and concession must be granted transparently and in the best interest of the people, not for personal or political gain,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

SMM was established to manage Sabah’s vast mineral wealth, from sand and gravel to potential rare earth deposits, by regulating exploration, ensuring compliance with environmental standards, and generating royalties for the state.

However, recent corruption allegations surrounding its operations have raised questions about governance and the equitable distribution of resource benefits.

Suhaimi said a forensic audit would examine all past dealings of the company, scrutinising contracts and approvals to identify weaknesses and prevent abuse.

“When the administration of state assets becomes riddled with controversies, it is a clear sign that the system has loosened and must be corrected immediately,” he said.

He added that BN’s priority was not to punish individuals but to “restore discipline, uphold integrity, and return dignity” to Sabah’s public administration.

BN, which lost power in Sabah in 2018, is positioning itself as a reform-driven alternative ahead of the state election, promising stronger oversight and institutional reforms to rebuild public trust. 

Sabah will go for the elections on November 29 following the dissolution of the state legislative assembly on October 6.  - October 24, 2025