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THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has reaffirmed that businessman Albert Tei is not entitled to protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act, as the legislation does not extend immunity to individuals allegedly involved in criminal conduct.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said a person cannot publicly disclose purported criminal activity and subsequently claim the legal safeguards accorded to whistleblowers.
“If someone is involved in a crime, for example, facilitating a murder, he cannot claim whistleblower protection simply by going to police and asking for immunity. In this case, he is not a whistleblower and therefore not protected under the Act,” he said, again refuting Tei’s assertion that he qualifies for protection.
Azam emphasised that safeguards are only available after a formal and confidential report is lodged with an enforcement body such as the MACC.
Responding to queries on assets seized in the case, Azam said the sums involved were modest. “If I recall correctly, the total is slightly over RM600,000, and what we managed to freeze is around RM200,000,” he said.
He added that the MACC had secured various recordings, including CCTV footage, video captures and body-worn camera recordings, to counter allegations that officers acted improperly during a raid at Tei’s residence last week.
“We have CCTV footage from the house, and all of it have been handed to the police,” he said. The recordings, he noted, would rebut claims that officers had pointed a weapon at Tei’s head and that valuables were seized without proper documentation, as alleged by Tei’s wife.
Azam said Tei had personally signed the list of confiscated items on the day of his arrest. Among the seized materials were mobile phones, an iPad and a digital video recorder considered relevant to the investigation.
Meanwhile, MACC has received approval to bring charges today against the Prime Minister’s former senior political secretary, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, and Tei, with each facing five counts. Shamsul Iskandar is expected to be charged with accepting bribes, while Tei will be charged with offering them.
“Four of the charges will be brought before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today, while one will be at the Shah Alam Sessions Court on Friday. Another individual, Sofia Rini Buyong, has been made the prosecution witness,” Azam said.
He praised his officers for concluding the investigation quickly. “I commend my officers for their hard work in being able to complete the investigation within a week. This is a case of public interest and has received extensive coverage,” he added.
Shamsul Iskandar and Tei were detained on 28 November, while Sofia Rini was arrested a day earlier as investigators probed claims that Tei had paid bribes to recover funds allegedly channelled to several Sabah assemblymen. - December 4, 2025