Kuala lumpur: Former senior political secretary to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, and businessman Albert Tei are scheduled to face corruption charges following a seven-day investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki announced that both individuals would be charged with five counts of corruption at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court and an additional charge at the Shah Alam Sessions Court on Friday. The charges include violations of Section 17(a) for accepting bribes and Section 17(b) for giving bribes, under the MACC Act 2009.

Shamsul and Tei were initially remanded for six days starting November 29, as sanctioned by the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court to allow the MACC to conclude its investigation. The case has garnered public interest due to allegations that Tei bribed Shamsul to recover funds supposedly distributed to several Sabah assemblymen.

Azam elaborated that a woman named Sofia Rini Buyong, detained alongside Shamsul and Tei, will not face charges and will instead serve as a prosecution witness. During the investigation, 32 witnesses were interviewed, aside from the three detained individuals.

In response to claims by Tei's wife that MACC officers did not present a search list during a raid, Azam maintained that all procedures were followed, stating that the search and seizure lists were handed directly to Tei. He also refuted allegations of officers pointing a pistol, confirming that a police report had been filed and relevant video recordings, including CCTV footage, were submitted to law enforcement.

Furthermore, Azam disclosed an ongoing investigation into Tei's lawyer, Mahajoth Singh, under Section 48 of the MACC Act for non-cooperation and failure to surrender requested exhibits. Azam emphasized that lawyer-client privilege does not cover exhibits unrelated to confidential legal advice, and compliance with Sections 30(1) and 30(2) of the MACC Act is mandatory.

During the investigation, approximately RM600,000 was frozen. Tei had alleged spending about RM629,000 on Shamsul, covering expenses such as renovations, premium cigars, and a custom suit, related to recovering funds allegedly given to Sabah politicians. He also shared purported WhatsApp exchanges requesting foreign currency from Shamsul for an overseas trip.