Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said no immediate action will be taken against two Sabah assemblymen facing corruption charges, pending further information and legal proceedings.

Hajiji said the GRS-led State Government would not interfere with the ongoing legal process involving Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob and Tanjung Batu assemblyman Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandi.

“We respect the law, and we will let the legal process take its course. The GRS State Government will not interfere in any investigation and legal action on any of its government leaders,” he said in a brief statement from Kota Kinabalu on Monday.

The Chief Minister added that the government will consider the duo’s positions in the administration “in due course” after receiving all relevant information and reports.

Dr Yusof, who chairs Qhazanah Sabah Berhad, and Andi, who serves as Assistant Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, were jointly charged in the Sessions Court today with accepting RM350,000 in bribes.

The charges allege that the money was given by businessman Datuk Tei Jeinn Cheing to influence the approval of a prospecting licence for two companies linked to Tei’s business partners.

Tei, also known as Albert Tei, faces two charges of giving bribes to the two politicians and pleaded not guilty alongside them.

Hajiji reiterated that the state government remained committed to maintaining integrity and transparency in its administration. 

Andi is accused of accepting RM150,000 from the businessman to help facilitate a mineral prospecting licence for Syarikat Sinaran Hayat Sdn Bhd. 

Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob faces a separate charge of receiving RM200,000 from Tei in connection with a similar application for Syarikat Nusa Kini Sdn Bhd. 

Tei, also known as Albert Tei, was charged with two counts of giving bribes to both assemblymen, with all three pleading not guilty. – June 30, 2025