Kota Kinabalu: Controversial businessman Albert Tei, who is charged with offering bribes totalling RM350,000 to two former assemblymen in relation to applications for mineral exploration licences in Sabah, will go trial on April 20-24.
Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus set the date for Tei, 37, when his case was brought up for pre-trial case management.
About 15 witnesses would be called.
During the proceedings on Tuesday, the prosecution also served additional documents, which are two copies of CD to the defence.
On the first count, Tei allegedly gave a RM150,000 bribe to former Tanjung Batu Assemblyman Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy, as an inducement to assist in the processing of the Sinaran Hayat Sdn Bhd’s application for a Prospecting Licence for mineral in Sabah.
He allegedly committed the offence at 11pm on May 12, 2023 at Andi’s residence in Jalan Pantai, Sembulan, near here.
On the second count, Tei is accused of giving a RM200,000 bribe to former Sindumin Assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, as an inducement to assist in the processing the Prospecting Licence for Nusa Kini Sdn Bhd also to explore for minerals in Sabah.
The offence allegedly took place at 2pm on March 6, 2023 at the Rooftop Bar & Grill @ Hilton, here.
It is believed that Syarikat Nusa Kini and Syarikat Sinaran Hayat based in Sabah were owned by Tei’s business partners.
Tei was charged under Section 16(b)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times of the amount involved, or RM10,000, or which one is higher, on conviction.
Earlier, MACC Prosecuting Officer Dzulkarnain Rousan Hasbi informed the court that he took over the case from deputy public prosecutor.
He also the court that the additional documents which are CD copies had been served to the defence on Tuesday.
The court extended Tei’s bail.
