SHAH ALAM: Businessman Albert Tei and the Prime Minister’s former senior political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin have been charged again with offences involving the giving and receiving of bribes amounting to over RM60,000 for the rental of a house between 2023 and last year.
Both Tei and Shamsul pleaded not guilty yesterday when the charges were read before Judge Datuk Mohd Nasir Nordin.
According to the charge sheet, Shamsul Iskandar, as an agent of the Malaysian government in his capacity as the Prime Minister’s senior political secretary at that time, allegedly received a RM64,924 bribe, which was deposited into a CIMB Bank account belonging to a woman, Rahmalidya Buyong.
Tei is accused of giving the bribe – RM64,924 in cash – to Shamsul Iskandar by depositing the amount into the same CIMB Bank account belonging to Rahmalidya.
They allegedly committed the offences at CIMB Bank Country Heights branch in Selangor on Nov 28, 2023, and Sept 23, 2024.
The payments were allegedly made for the rental of a house in Jalan Medang Serai, Bukit Bandaraya, Kuala Lumpur.
The act is said to have been carried out to assist companies linked to Tei in securing approvals for mineral exploration licences in Sabah.
They were charged under Sections 17(a) and 17(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which carry penalties under Section 24(1) of the same Act.
Upon conviction, the section provides for a maximum jail term and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop applied for the court to adopt the same bail terms imposed on Tei and Shamsul Iskandar in relation to four other charges in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court two days ago.
Case in progress: Tei (fifth from right in yellow shirt) with his lawyers during a press conference at the Shah Alam Sessions Court. — KK SHAM/The Star
On Thursday, Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court Judge Suzana Hussin granted Shamsul Iskandar bail at RM150,000 with two sureties, ordered his passport to be surrendered until the conclusion of the case, and required him to report to the nearest MACC office once a month.
Tei was granted bail of RM70,000 with two sureties.
Judge Mohd Nasir subsequently allowed the adoption of the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court’s bail terms and conditions, and ordered that the case be transferred to that court to be tried jointly.
Tei’s lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, when met after proceedings yesterday, said his client had been charged under Section 17(b) of the MACC Act and had pleaded not guilty.
He added that Tei’s bail conditions remain the same as those imposed for a separate charge brought in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.
“Based on an application by the DPP, the matter has been transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, where case management has been fixed for Jan 8, 2026.
“The four charges from yesterday (Thursday) and today’s (Friday) single charge – five in total – will be heard together at the upcoming hearing date,” he said.
Asked whether the defence intended to seek a transfer to the High Court, Rajesh said he has yet to receive any instructions from Tei.
“As you know, my client has a large legal team. We will discuss internally and meet with our client first.
“We will update the press regarding any move to transfer the case to the KL High Court,” he said.
On Thursday, Shamsul Iskandar was charged in a separate case with agreeing to accept a RM100,000 bribe, as well as three additional charges involving the receipt of money and electrical furnishings amounting to RM76,829.03.
