THE Kuala Lumpur High Court today rejected businessman Albert Tei’s application to transfer five corruption charges involving former senior political secretary to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin from the Sessions Court to the High Court.
Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin dismissed the application after hearing submissions from both sides.
“I do not agree with the applicant. My position is clear and this is not a complex issue.
“Therefore, this application is dismissed,” she said.
Tei, whose full name is Tei Jiann Cheing, 37, had sought to transfer the case to the High Court on the grounds that the charges raised constitutional issues under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.
He faces four charges of allegedly giving Shamsul Iskandar RM140,000 in cash as well as furniture and electrical goods worth RM14,580.03 and RM22,249.
The alleged bribes were said to have been given as an inducement for Shamsul Iskandar to assist companies linked to Tei in obtaining approval for mineral exploration licences in Sabah.
The alleged offences were said to have taken place at several locations in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya between Nov 24, 2023 and March 5, 2024.
Tei also faces a fifth charge of allegedly giving RM64,924 to Shamsul Iskandar at a bank in Country Heights, Kajang, between Nov 28, 2023 and Sept 23, 2024.
All five charges were framed under Section 17(b) of the MACC Act 2009 and are punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.
Upon conviction, the provision carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of at least five times the amount or value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher. - September 18, 2026