KOTA KINABALU: A 41-year-old businessman and patron of non-governmental organisations has received his Datukship in 2017.
Datuk Maslan Sani was awarded with Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang when he was 34.
Maslan, who is a registered voter in the Kapayan state and Penampang parliamentary constituencies, was among 11 people charged over involvement with a criminal organisation linked to the biggest Sabah drug cartel.
The Geng Upik members were accused of being involved with organised crime at different times between early 2015 and Dec 24 last year.
Maslan is reported in the news as a chairman of a company for a franchise restaurant.
Apart from that, Maslan is also cited in a website that he is the patron and president of Pertubuhan Pakatan Amal Kebajikan Dan Ekonomi Sabah (Pakat Sabah) in 2021.
Pakat Sabah was launched in 2018 at a hotel in Tawau. According to the Registrar of Societies, the organisation aims to look after the welfare of its members.
The NGO had also conducted several humanitarian work including giving assistance to fire victims at Kampung Sri Aman in Semporna in 2020.
Yesterday, Maslan, who is the kingpin and 10 others entered no plea when their charges were read out at the Sessions Court here.
The case will be mentioned on March 1 before being transferred to the High Court.