Businessman Datuk Albert Tei has suggested that the legal process against him is being deliberately drawn out to exhaust him, warning that his prosecution sends a dangerous message to other potential whistleblowers.

Tei, a key figure in a Sabah mining-linked graft probe, claimed that his case is being used not just to charge him—but to wear him down.

“Yes, charge two people today, I guarantee you—tomorrow, they’ll charge one or two more. “I will fight for justice. Don’t think this is the way to pressure me,” he said after posting bail in Kota Kinabalu today. 

Datuk Albert Tei Jiann Cheing has been charged with two counts of giving bribes under Section 16(b)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. 

He is accused of bribing Assistant Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy and Sipitang assemblyman Datuk Yusof Yacob. 

He pleads not guilty. 

Tei questioned why only “a small fry” like him were being targeted, while the bigger players, whom he referred to as “sharks,” remained untouched.

“So I want to ask—when anchovies like us are caught and charged, what about the sharks still out there?” he said.

Tei said he had already submitted complete evidence to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), including documentation implicating ministers and even the Speaker of the Sabah State Assembly.

“Only two people were charged. What about the other seven? Especially the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor,” 

“And that evidence is even stronger than what they have on these two individuals. So why were only these two picked? Is it because their connections aren’t strong?” he asked. 

He said that despite his cooperation with MACC—including three visits since October last year and submitting letters with official acknowledgment—only he and two assemblymen had been charged. 

“What has the MACC been doing for the past eight or nine months? I want to ask—is it really that hard to investigate these YBs?”

Tei also questioned the unusual two-week advance notice he received before being charged, which he claimed was inconsistent with typical MACC procedure.

“In other MACC cases, they arrest today, charge tomorrow. Why give me two weeks’ notice? What are the two weeks for?

“Is there something being negotiated behind closed doors?”

He suggested that the process is designed to pressure and punish those who come forward.

“I know what they’re thinking… they always want to silence me, to burden me,” he said.

Tei also warned that the current handling of his case could discourage other whistleblowers from speaking up.

“So who will dare to come forward after this?”

He said letters had been sent to MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki, the Prime Minister, and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, while he let out concerns over his wellbeing. 

“If anything happens to me—if I’m killed, kidnapped, go missing—suddenly—look for those ten people. Because I have no enemies, except for those ten,” he said. – June 30, 2025