High Court dismisses Albert Tei's bid to transfer MACC graft case

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court today dismissed an application by businessman Albert Tei to transfer his five corruption charges involving former senior political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin from the Sessions Court.

High Court judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin rejected the application after hearing submissions from both parties.

"I am not with the applicant. My stand is clear; therefore, these are not complex issues.

"So, having said that, this application is dismissed," she said.

Tei, whose real name is Tei Jiann Cheing, 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.

The 37-year-old businessman faces four charges of giving RM140,000 in cash and furniture, including electrical goods worth RM14,580.03 and RM22,249, to Shamsul Iskandar.

The alleged gratification was an inducement for Shamsul Iskandar to assist companies in which Tei had interests to secure mineral exploration licenses in Sabah.

The offences were allegedly committed at several locations in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya between Nov 24, 2023, and March 5, 2024.

Tei is also charged with 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.

The provision carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of at least five times the amount or value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.