Kota Kinabalu: The High Court on Monday dismissed an application by a businessman facing charges of offering RM350,000 in bribes to two former Sabah assemblymen over mineral exploration licences to transfer his cases from the Sessions Court.
Judicial Commissioner Dayang Ellyn Narisa made the ruling against Datuk Tei Jiann Cheing (pic), also known as Albert Tei, who attended the court proceedings via Zoom.
On the first charge, Tei is accused of giving RM150,000 to former Tanjung Batu assemblyman Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy at a residence in Jalan Pantai, Sembulan, on 12 May 2023, to assist in processing a prospecting licence application for Sinaran Hayat Sdn Bhd.
On the second count, he allegedly gave RM200,000 to former Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob at the Rooftop Bar & Grill @ Hilton Kota Kinabalu on 6 March 2023, as an inducement to help process a similar licence for Nusa Kini Sdn Bhd.
Tei, who remains on extended bail, faces charges under Section 16(b)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, punishable by up to 20 years' imprisonment and heavy fines upon conviction, with the trial set to proceed in the Sessions Court.
