Kota Kinabalu: Datuk Albert Tei has lodged police and MACC reports after claiming he was blacklisted from entering Sabah, a move he alleged was meant to stop him from attending his court case.
Tei said he arrived at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) at about 12.30pm on Monday (Sept 22) when immigration officers told him he was barred from entering the state.
He was, eventually, allowed in after producing documents to prove his court attendance. He said the blacklist was imposed in August, just weeks before his scheduled proceedings.
“If I cannot attend the case, it would mean the matter could be struck out. This would in turn benefit those who are facing charges,” he told reporters, Tuesday.
Tei was speaking outside the Special Corruptions Court here after the judge rejected an application by lawyers representing two elected representatives seeking a gag order against him.
“This case has been reported nationwide. There is no reason to silence me – I have the constitutional right to speak,” he said, welcoming the court’s decision.
He urged the MACC and the Attorney General’s Chambers to proceed with charging six state assemblymen and a state assembly speaker whom he claimed were also implicated.
“I am not afraid of being charged myself. If they want to charge me, go ahead – I am prepared to face it in court,” he said.
Tei stressed that he has no political affiliations and warned against attempts to use his case for political gain.
“I believe the authorities have already investigated my background. I have never been involved with any political group or party. I do not mix with politics. So I warn everyone not to ride on my issue for their own political agenda,” he said.
He also alleged that confidential information about his statement to the MACC had been leaked and called for a clean-up of the agency to ensure transparency.
“I will not be intimidated. If pressed, I will reveal more evidence, even to international organisations for independent forensic review,” he added.
Tei said he had filed two separate reports – one with the police and another with the MACC – alleging breaches of the law and abuse of power related to the handling of his case.
He further denied rumours that a businessman was financing him, stressing that his business dealings were structured as joint ventures rather than personal funding.