The High Court has dismissed businessman Albert Tei’s bid to transfer his five corruption charges involving former senior political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin from the Sessions Court.
High Court judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin rejected the application after hearing submissions from both sides, ruling that the case did not involve complex legal issues warranting a transfer.
“I am not with the applicant. My stand is clear; therefore, these are not complex issues. So, having said that, this application is dismissed,” she said.
Tei, whose real name is Tei Jiann Cheing, had sought to have the case moved to the High Court, arguing that the charges raised constitutional issues under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. A similar application by Shamsul Iskandar was previously dismissed by the High Court.
The 37-year-old businessman faces four charges of allegedly giving RM140,000 in cash and furniture, including electrical goods worth RM14,580.03 and RM22,249, to Shamsul Iskandar.
The alleged gratification was intended as an inducement for Shamsul Iskandar to assist companies in which Tei had interests in obtaining mineral exploration licences in Sabah. The offences were allegedly committed at several locations in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya between Nov 24, 2023, and March 5, 2024.
Tei also faces a charge of allegedly giving RM64,924 to Shamsul Iskandar at a bank in Country Heights, Kajang, between Nov 28, 2023, and Sept 23, 2024.
All five charges were framed under Section 17(b) of the MACC Act 2009 and are punishable under Section 24(1), which carries up to 20 years in prison and a fine of at least five times the amount or value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
