Controversial businessman Albert Tei was reportedly arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) following a raid on his home in Puchong early this morning, according to one of his lawyers.
Tei’s lawyer, Zaid Malek, claimed MACC officers forcefully entered the residence, arrested Tei, and initially escorted him out in handcuffs. The businessman was later brought back to his home shortly afterward.
However, another of Tei’s lawyers, Mahajoth Singh, told Malaysiakini that the anti-graft agency had a valid warrant to conduct the raid.
Zaid stated that both MACC and police officers were present during the operation and that he was denied access to meet his client, which he described as a violation of Tei’s constitutional right to legal counsel.
He added that Tei was surrounded by balaclava-clad armed officers and that the authorities refused to identify themselves or disclose where Tei was being taken, likening the treatment to the arrest of a terrorist.
Tei and a woman named Sofia Rini Buyong were earlier summoned to give statements to assist in an investigation involving Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s former senior political secretary, Shamsul Iskandar Akin. Tei, who is at the centre of the Sabah mining scandal, is currently facing trial on two counts of giving bribes.
In a recent video, Tei was seen speaking with a woman alleged to be Sofia, who claimed to act as a proxy for Shamsul. She purportedly said that Anwar authorised Tei to record conversations with several Sabah politicians, including state ministers and assemblymen, concerning mineral exploration licences. Sofia has denied being Shamsul’s proxy, calling the claims “false and malicious.”
Earlier this week, Tei stated that he had spent RM629,000 on Shamsul, including property renovations, premium cigars, and custom-made suits, under the assurance that he could recover funds channelled to Sabah politicians. He also shared screenshots of WhatsApp conversations in which Shamsul allegedly requested foreign currency before travelling overseas.
Tei’s allegations came shortly after Shamsul resigned as Anwar’s political secretary, citing attempts to use the controversy to tarnish his reputation and that of the government.
