KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — The High Court today dismissed businessman Albert Tei’s application to transfer five corruption charges against him from the Sessions Court to the High Court.

Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin dismissed the application by Tei, whose real name is Tei Jiann Cheing, 37, on the grounds that the issues raised were not complex and could be adequately dealt with in the Sessions Court.

“I do not agree with the applicant’s (Tei) application. My position is clear that the issues raised are not complex and would be faced by any accused person.

“Once you are brought before the court, you have time to appoint counsel and prepare yourself for trial. Even if a trial date has been fixed and you are still not ready, the court will grant latitude to postpone proceedings to ensure the accused is genuinely prepared,” the judge said.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan appeared for the prosecution, while lawyer Mahajoth Singh represented Tei.

In earlier proceedings, Mahajoth informed the court that the application was made because the charges faced by his client involved constitutional issues under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act.

Tei, 37, faces four charges of giving RM140,000 cash bribes, as well as furniture and electrical appliances worth RM14,580.03 and RM22,249, to the Prime Minister’s former senior political secretary, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.

The bribes were allegedly inducements to secure Shamsul Iskandar’s assistance in helping companies linked to the accused obtain approval for mineral exploration licences in Sabah, although the matter had no connection to his principal’s affairs.

The offences were allegedly committed at a hotel car park in Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Jalan Medang Serai, Bukit Bandaraya, here, and in Precinct 14, Putrajaya, between November 24, 2023 and March 5, 2024.

Tei is also accused of giving RM64,924 in bribes to Shamsul Iskandar at a bank in Country Heights, Kajang, between November 28, 2023 and September 23, 2024.

All the charges are framed under Section 17(b) of the MACC Act 2009, which provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction. — Bernama