Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor delivers his winding-up speech at the Sabah State Assembly sitting on April 16.
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has yet to issue any mining leases for gold despite growing concerns over potential private control of mineral-rich land in Semporna, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (GRS-Sulaman).
The Chief Minister told the State Assembly on Wednesday (April 16) during his winding-up speech that only prospecting licences have been approved, which do not automatically guarantee the right to mine.
“What we issued were exploration licences. These are not mining leases,” he said.
The state government, he explained, has not reached the stage of deciding on any mining concessions, adding that all matters involving royalties, equity and licence terms would be determined by the Cabinet if and when it comes to that.
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang) had earlier expressed concern that granting prospecting licences to private firms might lead to an automatic expectation for mining rights, potentially depriving the state of direct control over its natural resources.
In reply, Hajiji acknowledged the concern but said the current approach allows the state to avoid incurring financial liabilities associated with high-risk exploration.
“The exploration of minerals involves high capital and risk. By letting private entities bear that cost, the government can focus on monitoring, environmental protection and policy oversight,” he said.
He said the government remains committed to protecting the state’s interests, and that any eventual decision on mining would include a discussion on the level of state ownership or equity, including the option to channel such projects through state-linked companies.
“If we give prospecting rights, there must be some potential for them to be considered later. Otherwise, no company would want to invest millions to explore with zero opportunity,” Hajiji added.
He assured the assembly that transparency remains a priority and said the list of companies given prospecting licences could be obtained from Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) and the Companies Commission of Malaysia.
“We are not hiding anything,” he said.
Shafie, however, insisted that state agencies such as Yayasan Sabah or other government-linked entities should lead mineral exploration, to ensure that any profits go back to the people.
“I strongly oppose giving this to private individuals. If there is gold, it should belong to the state,” he said.
He cited past controversies such as the alleged illegal mining activities in Tawau, where tonnes of gold were believed to have been extracted without clear benefit to Sabah.
The issue of gold exploration was raised during the winding-up debate at the Sabah state assembly, following allegations that some 1,000ha in Nagos, Semporna had been quietly allocated to private interests.
Hajiji reiterated that no mining lease had been approved for that area or any other, and pledged to keep the assembly informed of further developments.
