Businessman Albert Tei is set to file an application to transfer five corruption charges against him from the Sessions Court to the High Court here.
Tei’s lawyer, Mahajoth Singh, told reporters the application would be submitted by next week at the latest. “The move is necessary as the charges involve constitutional issues under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act,” he said after proceedings at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex.
Mahajoth added that the defence team will first review all case documents before deciding whether to submit any representations.
During the session before Judge Rosli Ahmad, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Qistini Qamarul Abrar informed the court that part of the case documents had been handed over to the defence. Judge Rosli then set April 15 for the case to be rementioned.
Tei, 37, whose full name is Tei Jiann Cheing, faces four charges of offering cash bribes totaling RM140,000, along with furniture and electrical items worth RM14,580.03 and RM22,249, to former Senior Political Secretary to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin. The bribes were allegedly meant to encourage Shamsul Iskandar to help Tei’s companies secure mineral exploration licences in Sabah, despite having no direct relation to the principal’s duties.
The offences are said to have taken place at a hotel parking lot on Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Jalan Medang Serai, Bukit Bandaraya, Kuala Lumpur, and Presint 14, Putrajaya between November 24, 2023, and March 5, 2024.
Additionally, Tei is charged with offering RM64,924 to Shamsul Iskandar at a bank in Country Heights, Kajang, between November 28, 2023, and September 23, 2024.
All charges are framed under Section 17(b) of the MACC Act 2009, which carries a maximum prison term of 20 years and a fine of at least five times the bribe’s value or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.
