Citing a report by Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM), he said the board had “decided otherwise”, the Daily Express reported.

“I must state, without making accusations, that the former CEO acted contrary to the board’s decisions,” he was quoted as saying, referring to Jontih Enggihon.

“According to SMM’s report, the board decided otherwise but the CEO went ahead and issued letters granting prospecting licences to selected companies,” he added at the state assembly sitting.

He said the matter was subsequently reported to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the police.

MACC is currently probing an alleged corruption case involving mineral project licences, with links to a businessman said to have had dealings with several Sabah assemblymen.

Yesterday, the anti-graft agency confirmed that it had summoned Jontih to assist in an investigation related to a corruption case.

Police and MACC reports have been filed against Jontih accusing him of colluding with a purported whistleblower behind several videos alleging corruption involving several Sabah assemblymen.

Last Sunday, Jontih denied the allegations, saying the claim that he acted as a middleman between the whistleblower and assemblymen was a “total lie”.

MACC has summoned five assemblymen to date to provide their statements.

Hajiji assured the state assembly that the current management of SMM was operating under good governance, and said recent reports published by certain portals were aimed at tarnishing his image as well as that of the government.

He also said he believed that the issue was politically motivated, adding however that specific opposition parties were not being blamed.