Albert Tei and Anwar's ex-aide deny bribery charges as counsel condemns rejection of whistleblower protection

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Malaysian businessman and whistleblower Albert Tei and former senior political secretary Shamsul Iskandar were charged again on 5 December 2025 with offences involving the alleged giving and receiving of bribes linked to a house rental arrangement.

The charges relate to RM64,924 (approx. US$14,584), for the rental of a property between 2023 and 2024.

Both individuals pleaded not guilty when the charges were presented before Judge Mohd Nasir Nordin at the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur on 5 December 2025.

According to the charge sheet, Shamsul, then serving as the Prime Minister’s senior political secretary, allegedly received RM64,924.

The amount was deposited into a CIMB Bank account registered to Rahmalidya Buyong.

Prosecutors allege that Tei gave the same amount by depositing it into that account.

The prosecution stated that the transactions were carried out on 28 November 2023 and 23 September 2024 at the CIMB Bank Country Heights Branch in Kajang, Selangor.

Alleged purpose of the payments

The payments were purportedly processed in relation to the rental of a house on Jalan Medang Serai in Bukit Bandaraya, Kuala Lumpur.

Investigators claim the transactions were intended to assist companies linked to Tei in securing approvals for mineral exploration licences in Sabah.

Both men were charged under Sections 17(a) and 17(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.

Penalties are governed by Section 24(1), which provides for a maximum custodial sentence and a fine of at least five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

The prosecution team was led by Deputy Public Prosecutors Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan and Nurul Qistini Qamarul Abra.

Shamsul was represented by lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad. Tei was represented by lawyers Rajesh Nagarajan, Mahajoth Singh and Eric Paulsen.

Court adopts earlier bail conditions

The prosecution invited the court to adopt the same bail terms previously imposed on Tei and Shamsul in connection with four other charges filed on 4 December.

The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court had granted Shamsul bail of RM150,000 with two sureties, with conditions requiring his passport to be surrendered and monthly reporting to the nearest MACC office.

Tei’s bail had been set at RM70,000 with two sureties.

Judge Mohd Nasir approved the adoption of these bail terms and ordered the case transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for a joint trial.

Case consolidation and next steps

Rajesh, speaking after proceedings on 5 December, confirmed that Tei had been charged under Section 17(b) and had maintained his plea of not guilty.

He said Tei’s bail terms remained consistent with those imposed in the separate charge filed the previous day.

“Based on an application by the prosecution, the matter has now been transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, where case management has been fixed for 8 January 2026,” he said.

Rajesh added that all five charges—four from 4 December and the new charge from 5 December—would be heard together.

When asked whether the defence intended to seek a transfer to the High Court, he said internal discussions were ongoing, and he awaited instructions from Tei.

Background of earlier allegations

On 4 December, Shamsul had been charged separately with agreeing to accept a RM100,000 (approx. US$24,307) bribe, as well as receiving money and electrical goods valued at RM76,829.03.

Previous reports alleged that a businessman had provided him with money to recover funds distributed to several Sabah state assembly members.

Following those allegations, Shamsul and Tei were remanded for six days until 4 December, while another individual, Sofia Rini Buyong, was remanded for four days.

Debate over treatment of alleged whistleblower

The MACC’s actions have drawn public criticism.

Former MACC chief and lawyer Latheefa Koya questioned why Tei had not received whistleblower protection, despite providing information concerning alleged corruption.

Latheefa argued that Tei was a “small fish” compared with those he had implicated and said it was “shocking” that he had been charged.

She highlighted that in previous high-profile cases involving Lim Guan Eng and Rosmah Mansor, alleged bribe-givers were not charged so that they could testify for the prosecution.

Latheefa also criticised the decision to dress Tei in an orange lock-up uniform and handcuffs during remand, saying this was not consistent with the standards she had implemented during her time as MACC chief.

She argued that individuals should not be paraded “like a common criminal”, adding that the priority should be securing accurate testimony from whistleblowers.

Tei’s account of his arrest

In a media doorstop interview on 4 December, Tei alleged that MACC officers forcibly entered his home on 28 November, tied his hands with cable ties and affected his family members present.

He questioned why officers seized his home CCTV recorder and said he would pursue the matter if any footage was missing or deleted.

“When you touch my family, I totally cannot accept,” he said. “You can touch me, but you cannot touch my family.”

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MACC response to allegations

MACC chief Azam Baki stated on 4 December that investigators had secured video evidence showing no misconduct during the operation.

He said the agency’s actions complied with the law and with established procedures.

Tei’s corruption case is scheduled for mention at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on 8 January 2026.