Warisan has pushed back firmly against claims that it approved a controversial prospecting licence to a politically linked company, saying the allegations are “inaccurate and misleading” and part of a wider effort to distract from growing public anger directed at the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government.

The party’s statement comes amid heightened scrutiny over the approval of a mineral exploration licence granted to Lincah Hebat Sdn Bhd in January 2025, which had gone viral on social media.  

A 2019 letter — widely circulated online in recent days — was cited as evidence of Warisan’s involvement. The party, however, says that document was merely an acknowledgment of receipt, not a letter of approval.

“That letter dated 31 January 2019 is nothing more than standard government procedure confirming the receipt of an application. It was not an official approval,” said Warisan information chief Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman in a statement on Monday. 

“Clear evidence shows that the actual licence was issued on 20 January 2025 by the GRS government,” he said. 

Warisan governed Sabah from May 2018 to September 2020. 

Azis said that at no point during its tenure did it approve the application in question and stressed that any claim to the contrary misrepresents the facts.

“If GRS truly did not support the application, why did they approve the licence five years later?” Azis asked.

The controversy has escalated into a political flashpoint in Sabah, with UMNO Sabah calling for a freeze on all prospecting licences issued since 2023 and demanding a full investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the police. 

Public scrutiny intensified after claims emerged online that individuals linked to the company have close family ties to senior political figures in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government.

Azis warned against what he described as “a tactic to divert public attention from the real issue — namely, allegations of corruption and abuse of power currently faced by the GRS government.”

“The people of Sabah need to know: who really owns Lincah Hebat? Who lobbied for the licence? 

“Who stands to benefit from this mining project? Are there political interests or hidden cronyism involved?” Azis questioned. 

Warisan has challenged the GRS administration to release all documents related to the licence, including the names of shareholders, the environmental impact assessment, and the justification for the project.

“If GRS is confident they are transparent, I challenge them to disclose all related documents… Let the people judge for themselves,” Azis said.

The controversy has further fuelled calls for greater transparency and oversight in the handling of Sabah’s natural resources. Warisan has reiterated its commitment to accountable governance and says it remains ready to answer questions in the public interest.

“The WARISAN government affirms its commitment to transparent governance and stands ready to answer any questions in the public interest,” said Azis.

GRS government has not publicly responded to the party’s challenge.

Meanwhile, former State Natural Resources Secretary Datuk Mohd Salleh Abbas, who served under the Warisan-led administration, has supported the party’s position, stating that no prospecting licences were approved during his tenure.

Salleh said the letter dated 31 January 2019 — which has been widely circulated online — was merely an acknowledgment of receipt, not an approval.

“The letter was simply a standard response issued to applicants or members of the public.

“It is routine for the department to issue acknowledgement letters when applications are received, whether from individuals or companies. It does not constitute formal approval,” he said.

He added that the contents of the letter clearly stated the application was still under review and that any updates would be communicated in due course.

“To my knowledge, during my time as Secretary of Natural Resources in the Warisan Plus government, no prospecting licences were approved.

“Only acknowledgement letters were issued, as part of normal administrative procedures,” he said. – April 7, 2025