PUTRAJAYA: The Prime Minister’s former senior political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin and businessman Albert Tei have been remanded for six days to assist investigations into allegations involving attempts to recover money said to have been previously distributed to several Sabah assemblymen.
Both men were brought to the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) applied for their remand.
The commission told the court the case involved public interest and that investigators required time to obtain documents, statements and other evidence.
Despite objections from lawyers representing both suspects, magistrate Fatin Muneerah Sofian granted MACC’s request, allowing investigators to detain them until Dec 4.
Sources said investigators intend to fast-track the probe before submitting the investigation papers to the Attorney General’s Chambers for further instructions.
Charges may be considered depending on the prosecution’s assessment of the evidence.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the remand and said the investigation would be carried out professionally and in line with the law.
He said he had instructed investigators to stay focused and complete the probe within a week.
The case is being investigated under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009, which covers the solicitation or receipt of bribes.
Earlier, both Tei and Shamsul Iskandar arrived at the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court in an MACC van at 8.59am.
As Tei was escorted into the building, he was heard shouting in Bahasa Malaysia that this was the consequence of “going against top leaders”.
He also claimed he was being treated unjustly despite “loving the country”.
Tei’s lawyer Zaid Malek, when contacted, said the legal team is preparing to file a revision against the remand order.
Shamsul Iskandar’s lawyer Yusmadi Yusoff, meanwhile, said he had applied for the remand proceedings to be held separately from Tei’s, and the magistrate allowed it.
He added that MACC had initially applied for a seven-day remand, but the court granted a six-day remand after considering several factors, including Shamsul Iskandar’s medical condition.
“For the record, he is undergoing treatment for a heart condition, diabetes and high blood pressure,” Yusmadi said, adding that a medical report from the National Heart Institute had been provided to the court.
On Friday, Azam confirmed that Shamsul Iskandar, Tei and Sofia Rini Buyong had been detained in connection with investigations into allegations that Tei paid bribes to reclaim funds purportedly distributed to several Sabah assemblymen.
Sofia Rini was detained at 10.30pm on Thursday and has been remanded until tomorrow.
Azam said the case carries significant public interest and that MACC is expediting the investigation to avoid speculation or manipulation by any quarter.
He reiterated that all individuals detained have the right to challenge their arrest in court.
