KOTA KINABALU, June 30 — Datuk Albert Tei Jiann Cheing, the businessman at the centre of a high-profile Sabah mining licence corruption case, today claimed he was being used as a...
Selangor-based businessman Datuk Albert Tei Jiann Cheing , 37, speaks to reporters after posting bail at the Kota Kinabalu Court Complex on June 30, 2025. — Picture by Julia ChanKOTA KINABALU, June 30 — Datuk Albert Tei Jiann Cheing , the businessman at the centre of a high-profile Sabah mining licence corruption case, today claimed he was being used as a political scapegoat for exposing top-level wrongdoing, including allegations involving the state chief minister.
The 37-year-old who is based in Selangor said it was shameful that he was the one in the dock while the real culprits remain free., but I’ve been caught and charged. What about the sharks?” he told reporters after being charged in court with offering bribes to two Sabah assemblymen this morning. He claimed there were seven other politicians involved apart from the two charged alongside him in court today – Assistant Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Datuk Andi Suryandy Bandy who represents Tanjung Batu, and Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob who is also Qhazanah Sabah Bhd chairman. Tei also claimed to have provided evidence to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to support his allegations since last October.He also described himself as a whistleblower, and said it set a dangerous message. “When we challenge the powerful, even the whistleblower gets dragged to court. Who will dare come forward next?” Tei claimed the treatment of his case has been irregular, saying that he received only two weeks’ notice before being charged, contrary to the standard MACC practice. “Who am I? Just a small fry. Why the special two-week wait? What were they discussing behind closed doors?” he asked.“I want to say this. I know what they’re thinking. They want to pressure and burden me, so that investigations won’t proceed. So that I’ll stay silent. I know what their game is. “Today you charge two people. I will get bail. Tomorrow, another two more, and I will pay bail... you will continue to line them up... is this right?” he said.“If anything untoward happens to me after this, if I’m killed, kidnapped, or go missing, look for those 10 people.Tei had previously named politicians in a series of videos that circulated online.His lawyer Edward Paul said it was “rare” for a complainant to be charged alongside those he reported. “This is rare, but we are ready. He is courageous and prepared to clear his name both as an accused and as a whistleblower,” he said. Tei had reportedly sought witness protection last year after accusing eight Sabah leaders in the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah of accepting bribes in exchange for helping him secure a mining prospecting licence. Tei was today charged alongside Andi and Dr Yusof Yacob of offering and receiving a total of RM350,000 in cash bribes respectively.Want to go to the US? Your social media must now be public, embassy tells F, M, J visa applicants
Court Charges Whistleblower Albert Tei Jiann Cheing Bribery Macc Political Scapegoat Yusof Yacob Andi Suryandy Bandy Tanjung Batu Adun Sindumin Adun RM350 000 Bribes
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Two Sabah reps, businessman to face graft charges tomorrow over mining licence scandalKOTA KINABALU, June 29 — Two state assemblymen and a businessman arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) under Ops Adun, are reportedly scheduled to be...
Read more »
Two Sabah assemblymen, businessman to be charged with graft on June 30Jonathan Anderson built buzz for his Dior debut with social media clues – and it quickly became the week's most anticipated show.
Read more »
Sabah assemblymen and businessman face corruption charges in mining scandalTwo Sabah assemblymen and a businessman will be charged today for alleged bribery in a mining licensing case involving RM350,000.
Read more »
Two Sabah assemblymen, businessman plead not guilty in RM350,000 bribery caseTwo Sabah assemblymen and a businessman deny charges of receiving and giving RM350,000 in bribes linked to mining licence applications
Read more »
Two Sabah assemblymen, businessman claim trial over RM350,000 mining bribe caseMANILA: Nearly a year after she was dismissed from office for her involvement in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos), former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Leal Guo has been disqualified from holding a government post after a Manila court declared her 'undoubtedly a Chinese citizen.
Read more »
Sabah ADUNs, businessman charged over RM350,000 in mineral license bribery caseKOTA KINABALU: Two Sabah assemblymen, Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy and Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, along with a businessman from Selangor, were charged with corruption involving RM350,000 linked to mineral exploration licence applications in the state.
Read more »