Businessman Albert Tei appeared upbeat today outside the Sessions Court despite facing five alleged corruption charges.
The 37-year-old, whose full name is Tei Jiann Cheing, told reporters he had no formal statement but answered questions in a lively manner.
Tei said he finally enjoyed a good night’s sleep in his own bed and a hot shower after six days in MACC remand. He also caught up on news using his wife’s phone, following the seizure of his own device for investigation purposes.
Addressing speculation about his connection to former two-time prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tei clarified that their meeting was strictly advisory. He recounted visiting the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya with a friend to seek guidance on exposing alleged corruption involving Sabah politicians.
“My friend suggested I meet Dr Mahathir to voice my concerns and get guidance. He told me to continue with my exposé. There was nothing political about it,” Tei said.
He denied rumors claiming close ties to Dr Mahathir, including suggestions that he was his foster child, calling them baseless.
When asked about his safety, Tei admitted he had feared for himself and his family, noting that he had filed two police reports after receiving death threats related to his exposé of alleged graft involving 15 Sabah politicians.
Earlier, Tei and former political secretary to the prime minister, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, were each charged with one count of bribery involving RM64,924 intended for a rental property in Kuala Lumpur.
Shamsul Iskandar and Tei now face a total of five corruption charges. Shamsul Iskandar also pleaded not guilty yesterday to receiving RM176,829.03 from Tei, who in turn pleaded not guilty to offering the payment.
Both are currently out on bail, with Tei’s set at RM70,000 and Shamsul Iskandar’s at RM150,000.
