KOTA KINABALU: A police report has been lodged against businessman Datuk Tei Jiann Cheing for allegedly making insulting and defamatory remarks towards Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in his statement.
The report was filed by the CM’s special officer Datuk Mazlan Joehari Manan at the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters on Tuesday afternoon (July 1).
Mazlan said Tei’s statement, made during a press conference at the Kota Kinabalu High Court compound on Monday (June 30), was not only false and malicious, but also amounted to an attack on Hajiji’s dignity, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and the Attorney General’s Department
He stressed that since Tei’s case, along with that of two state assemblymen, is currently being heard in court, the businessman should refrain from issuing media statements that create negative perceptions and discredit others.
“His remarks could be considered contempt of court or sub judice, as they interfere with ongoing judicial proceedings,” Mazlan said.
He added that the police report was made to facilitate a thorough investigation and to enable appropriate legal action to be taken against Tei.
Tei, who has been named “Albert” the whistleblower, was charged under Section 16(b)(A) of the MACC Act 2009 for offering bribes, and if convicted, the charges carry a sentence of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribe.
MACC Special Corruption Court judge Jason Juga fixed August 5 for pre-trial case management and granted Tei a RM60,000 bail with RM15,000 deposited under one local surety, for both charges.
Tei is reported to be the businessman behind several videos exposing politicians allegedly involved in corrupt activities between 2023 and 2024, in exchange for assistance in processing mineral exploration licence applications.
