Kuala lumpur: The High Court today dismissed businessman Albert Tei's application to transfer five corruption charges against him from the Sessions Court to the High Court. Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin dismissed the application by Tei, whose real name is Tei Jiann Cheing, 37, on the grounds that the issues raised were not complex and could be adequately dealt with in the Sessions Court.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin emphasized that the issues were not complex and could be managed within the Sessions Court. The judge stated that any accused person could face such issues, and the court would ensure the accused had ample time to prepare for trial. Even if a trial date has been fixed, the court would allow for postponements to ensure readiness.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan represented the prosecution, while lawyer Mahajoth Singh defended Albert Tei. During previous proceedings, Mahajoth Singh argued that the charges involved constitutional issues under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act, which warranted the transfer.
Tei is facing four charges of giving cash bribes totaling RM140,000, along with furniture and electrical appliances worth RM14,580.03 and RM22,249, to Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, the former senior political secretary to the Prime Minister. The bribes were allegedly offered to secure assistance for companies linked to Tei in obtaining mineral exploration licenses in Sabah, unrelated to Shamsul Iskandar's official duties.
The offences allegedly took place at various locations, including a hotel car park in Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Jalan Medang Serai, Bukit Bandaraya, and Precinct 14, Putrajaya, between November 24, 2023, and March 5, 2024. Additionally, Tei is accused of offering RM64,924 in bribes at a bank in Country Heights, Kajang, between November 28, 2023, and September 23, 2024.
All charges are under Section 17(b) of the MACC Act 2009, which prescribes a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the bribe's sum or value, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.