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BUSINESSMAN Albert Tei will apply to transfer his corruption case from the Sessions Court to the High Court, arguing that the charges involve constitutional questions under Malaysia’s anti-corruption legislation.
His lawyer, Mahajoth Singh, said the application would be filed by next week on behalf of Tei, whose full name is Tei Jiann Cheing, 37.
“The application is being made because the charges faced by our client involve constitutional issues under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act,” he told reporters after court proceedings at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex.
Mahajoth also said the defence team intends to review all case documents before deciding whether to submit a formal representation to the prosecution.
Earlier during proceedings before Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad, deputy public prosecutor Nurul Qistini Qamarul Abrar informed the court that part of the case documents had already been handed over to the defence.
The court then fixed April 15 for further mention of the case.
Tei faces five charges linked to alleged bribery involving a former senior political secretary to the prime minister, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.
According to the charges, Tei allegedly gave cash bribes totalling RM140,000 and furniture items, including electrical appliances worth RM14,580.03 and RM22,249, to Shamsul Iskandar.
The alleged payments were said to have been offered as an inducement for Shamsul Iskandar to assist companies linked to Tei in obtaining approvals for mineral exploration licences in Sabah, even though the matter was not connected to the official duties of the recipient.
The offences were alleged to have taken place at several locations including a hotel car park along Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Jalan Medang Serai in Bukit Bandaraya, and Precinct 14 in Putrajaya between Nov 24, 2023 and March 5, 2024.
Tei also faces an additional 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 charges were framed under Section 17(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and are punishable under Section 24(1) of the same law.
If convicted, the offence carries a maximum prison term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher. - March 13, 2026