High Court Rejects Albert Tei’s Bid to Transfer Corruption Charges to High Court

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — The High Court today dismissed an application by businessman Albert Tei 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, on the grounds that the legal issues raised were not complex and could be adequately handled by the Sessions Court.

“I do not agree with the applicant’s application. My position is clear that the issues raised are not complex and would be faced by any accused person,” Judge Noor Ruwena stated. “Once you are brought before the court, you have time to appoint counsel and prepare yourself for trial. Even if a trial date has been fixed and you are still not ready, the court will grant latitude to postpone proceedings to ensure the accused is genuinely prepared.”

During earlier proceedings, defence counsel Mahajoth Singh, representing 37-year-old Tei, informed the court that the transfer application was submitted because the charges involved constitutional issues under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan appeared for the prosecution.

Tei faces four charges of giving RM140,000 in cash bribes, along with furniture and electrical appliances valued at RM14,580.03 and RM22,249, to Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, the former senior political secretary to the Prime Minister. The alleged gratification served as inducements to secure Shamsul Iskandar’s assistance in helping companies linked to Tei obtain mineral exploration licenses in Sabah, despite the matter having no connection to his principal’s official affairs.

The alleged offences were committed at a hotel car park along Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Jalan Medang Serai in Bukit Bandaraya, Kuala Lumpur, and Precinct 14 in Putrajaya between Nov 24, 2023, and March 5, 2024.

Tei is also accused of a fifth charge involving giving RM64,924 in bribes to Shamsul Iskandar at a bank in Country Heights, Kajang, between Nov 28, 2023, and Sept 23, 2024.

All five charges are framed under Section 17(b) of the MACC Act 2009, which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

–NMT