Probe into Singaporean ‘godfather' behind scandal
Published on: Thu, Jul 03, 2025 Text Size: Azam Baki confirmed the matter when contacted, adding that the commission will summon several witnesses soon to assist in the investigation. - FMT pic Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has launched an investigation into a Singaporean businessman named in a viral article on social media, who is alleged to be the financier behind a Sabah mining corruption scandal involving Datuk Albert Tei Jiann Cheing. A source said the probe follows the article that had gone viral this week, which named the tycoon as the alleged backer of bribes linked to mineral prospecting licences in Sabah. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the matter when contacted, adding that the commission will summon several witnesses soon to assist in the investigation. 'We are verifying the information raised in the article and will be recording statements from relevant individuals soon,' Azam added. The article, published on an independent news portal, claimed that the businessman had been bankrolling efforts to secure lucrative mining concessions in Sabah. It alleged that hidden recordings were used during private meetings with political figures, purportedly to exert pressure or obtain favours. It also alleged that multiple companies had been used to channel influence and that the group behind these efforts was gaining ground by aligning itself with key political figures in the state. Several of those mentioned in the report are said to be leaders or associates of Sabah Umno. The report described the group's actions as cartel-like in nature, though no official findings have confirmed this. Tei and two assemblymen—Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Sindumin) and Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy (Tanjung Batu)—were charged in court last Monday with corruption involving RM350,000 in alleged bribes linked to mineral licence approvals. The Sabah mining controversy first emerged in late 2024 after a whistleblower released a series of covert recordings to an independent news portal, allegedly showing conversations between political figures discussing mineral deals. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
13 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
LB Aluminium proposing to acquire land, properties worth RM22mil
KUALA LUMPUR: LB Aluminium Bhd is planning to acquire a parcel of leasehold industrial land and industrial buildings from Lucksoon Coatings Sdn Bhd for RM22 million. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, the company said the acquisition of the industrial land in Banting, Selangor, also includes an industrial complex comprising three adjoining single-storey detached factories, a double-storey office building, an open-sided single-storey factory, three open-sided stores and a guard house. The company also inked a three-year tenancy agreement to rent the property out to Lucksoon Metal Works Sdn Bhd with a monthly rental of RM116,000 per month upon completion of the proposed acquisition. "Lucksoon Metal Works Sdn Bhd is currently occupying the property to run a business of contractors and traders of metal works and metal products. "The proposed acquisition will enable the group to establish an additional source of recurring income and benefit from potential capital appreciation of the property in the foreseeable future," it said.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
MACC to seek restraining orders on Daim-linked assets in six more countries
KOTA BARU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will apply for court orders to restrain assets linked to former finance minister the late Tun Daim Zainuddin in six additional countries. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the move follows a similar order obtained recently in the United Kingdom to freeze Daim's assets there. "As I announced earlier, we secured a restraining order in the UK and have forwarded the request to the British authorities for further action in court," he told reporters after witnessing the hand‑over of duties between outgoing state MACC director Rosli Husain and his successor Azmin Yusoff here today. Azam said any overseas forfeiture must proceed through the legal framework of each jurisdiction, and the MACC is working closely with its foreign counterparts to supply the necessary information. "We are preparing identical applications for six more countries. Each will be channelled through Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) and the Attorney‑General's Chambers," he added. Domestically, the MACC has filed a forfeiture application for Menara Ilham, the landmark tower associated with Daim. The court has fixed a date for hearing. "As for Daim's other assets in Malaysia, we are bringing them to court case by case, depending on whether we can establish elements of wrongdoing that justify forfeiture," Azam said. He declined to disclose the total value or full list of assets, citing ongoing proceedings. "To date, the two key developments are the UK restraining order and the Menara Ilham forfeiture. More will follow as the process unfolds." On 28 June, it was reported that, after the UK, at least five other jurisdictions have come under MACC scrutiny as it tracks high‑value assets allegedly linked to Daim, his family, and proxies that were not declared to investigators. Sources say the assets are believed to be located in the United States, Singapore, Japan, Italy and Jersey, the Channel Island off Normandy. Additional locations may also be targeted as enquiries progress. The MACC is expected to seek restraining orders in each jurisdiction to prevent any disposal or transfer of the assets while investigations continue. In the UK, it was reported that authorities have already agreed to freeze properties and assets worth an estimated £132 million RM700 million) belonging to Daim's wife, Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
MPAJ to hold disciplinary committee meeting over bribery case involving department head
PETALING JAYA: Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) will initiate a Disciplinary Committee Meeting following the case of a department head charged with accepting RM30,000 in bribes. MPAJ deputy president Hasrolnizam Shaari said it would first need to obtain the official report from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). 'Further action will depend on the decision of the relevant committee," he said briefly when contacted. It was reported on Wednesday (July 2) that Ahmad Alhairi Mohamed Yusuf, 47, who is MPAJ Buildings and Architecture Department director, was charged on two counts of bribery amounting to RM30,000, two years ago. Both offences were allegedly committed at a Maybank branch in Taiping, within the Larut, Matang and Selama district He pleaded not guilty at the Ipoh Sessions Court in Perak. Both charges were made under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment or a fine, or both, upon conviction. Judge Meor Sulaiman allowed the accused to be released on bail of RM10,000 with one surety and imposed a condition for the accused to report to the Selangor MACC office on the first Saturday of every month. He also ordered the accused to immediately surrender his international passport to the court for safekeeping until the case is concluded. The court set Aug 19 for case mention and document submission.
