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PROMINENT businessman Datuk Tei Jiann Cheing, also known as Albert Tei, accused of offering bribes totalling RM350,000 to two former Sabah state assemblymen over the approval of mineral exploration licences will stand trial next year.
Sessions Court judge Elsie Primus set the trial dates from 20 to 24 April 2026 during a pre-trial case management mention for Datuk Tei Jiann Cheing, 37, also known as Albert Tei, held today.
A total of 15 witnesses are expected to be called during the trial.
Earlier, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) prosecutor Dzulkarnain Rousan Hasbi informed the court that he had taken over the case from the Deputy Public Prosecutor.
He added that the defence had not yet received two compact discs from the prosecution, which were subsequently handed over during today’s proceedings.
Dzulkarnain then requested that trial dates be fixed, provided no objections were raised. The defence team representing Tei confirmed that there were no additional matters to raise.
Tei was present in court, represented by lawyers Edward Paul, Batholomew Jingulam and Jul Hamri.
On 30 June, Tei pleaded not guilty to two charges of bribing former Tanjung Batu assemblyman Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy and former Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob.
He is accused of offering RM200,000 to Dr Yusof as an inducement to facilitate the processing of a mining licence application for Nusa Kini Sdn Bhd. This offence allegedly occurred at 2pm on 6 March 2023 at Rooftop Bar & Grill at the Hilton in Kota Kinabalu.
Tei is also alleged to have paid RM150,000 to Andi to encourage him to assist in processing a mineral exploration licence application for Sinaran Hayat Sdn Bhd. This offence is said to have taken place at 11pm on 12 May 2023 at Andi’s residence on Jalan Pantai, Sembulan.
He faces charges under Section 16(b)(A) of the MACC Act.
Reports indicate that both Nusa Kini Sdn Bhd and Sinaran Hayat Sdn Bhd, which operate in Sabah, are owned by Tei’s business associates. - December 9, 2025