ALBERT Tei Jiann Cheing has dismissed speculation that his recent meeting with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was politically motivated, insisting the discussion centred exclusively on the corruption charges he is currently facing.
Tei, 37, said the circulation of a photograph showing him with Dr Mahathir had fuelled baseless theories despite it being the first time the two had ever met.
“The viral photo was taken on the first time I met him in my life. I was surprised to see all kinds of theories on social media suggesting I had political ties with Tun M,” the NST reported him saying when met at the Shah Alam Court Complex.
“Some even said I was supposedly ‘Tun M’s man’, accusing us of conspiracies and more. I urge everyone to stop spreading allegations about him and me.”
Tei explained that he sought an audience with Dr Mahathir at the Perdana Leadership Foundation last week to convey concerns relating to his cases, including what he claimed were threats received after exposing alleged misconduct by certain individuals.
He said the former prime minister listened for about an hour and offered guidance drawn from his experience as a statesman.
“He did not ask a single question about politics. He only advised me to take the proper steps. That is all. There was no political element, no suggestion for me to meet anyone, no agenda,” he said.
Asked why he had chosen to approach Dr Mahathir, Tei replied that he had done so on a friend’s recommendation, believing that only someone of Dr Mahathir’s stature could offer meaningful perspective.
Earlier in court, Tei was charged with offering a bribe to Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, the former senior political secretary to the prime minister, allegedly as an inducement to assist companies linked to him in obtaining mineral exploration licences in Sabah.
Shamsul has also been charged with soliciting RM64,924 from Tei in 2023 and 2024.
Both men pleaded not guilty. They now face a combined five corruption charges. Shamsul pleaded not guilty yesterday to receiving RM176,829.03 in graft from Tei, while Tei claimed trial to giving him the money.
Tei and Shamsul remain out on bail. - December 5, 2025
