PKR Youth: Albert 'biggest bribe-giver', don't just treat him as whistleblower

A PKR Youth leader has urged authorities to take firm action against businessperson Albert Tei, accusing him of attempting to escape punishment by hiding behind the status of a “whistleblower”.

The wing’s information chief, Danish Hairudin, described Tei (above) as “the biggest bribe-giver” who was now trying to shield himself by leaking information about others.

“Tei himself admitted to giving bribes in large amounts and then leaking information as so-called evidence. The reality is, he is trying to escape punishment.

“Giving bribes on a large scale and then presenting oneself as a whistleblower is not bravery, but a betrayal of the law and the nation’s values of integrity. The person who lights the fire cannot pretend to be the saviour from the flames,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Earlier yesterday, Tei, who blew the lid off the Sabah mining scandal, unleashed an attack on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for dismissing his evidence against six Sabah assemblypersons as mere hearsay.

The businessperson shot down Anwar’s claim that only videos were handed to the MACC, stressing that he had submitted a dossier exceeding 300 pages.

Danish said authorities should not only use Tei as a witness but also charge him as the main perpetrator of corruption.

Tei, however, on June 30, has claimed trial to two counts of giving bribes under Section 16(b)(B) of the MACC Act 2009.

He was accused of bribing Sabah Assistant Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Andi Suryady Bandy and Sindumin assemblyperson Yusof Yacob to help with obtaining mineral prospecting licences.

Uphold law

Danish further stressed that Anwar and the Madani government must remain consistent in upholding justice and transparency, noting that no one - including politicians, civil servants, or corporate tycoons - was above the law.

“The prime minister inherited a country burdened with huge debts and weakened institutions after decades of corruption and abuse of power. Yet, in a short time, he has shown commitment to uphold the law without favouritism.

“The people must not be given the impression that a bribe-giver can go free simply by leaking information. The reform principles championed by the prime minister demand comprehensive justice. Both givers and receivers of bribes must be punished equally,” he said.

He further urged the public to reject attempts to undermine the government by exploiting the issue for political gain.

“The Madani government is working to restore the country from the damage caused by past corruption.

“Therefore, the commitment of the prime minister and his administration to fighting corruption must continue to be supported.

“The people deserve to see justice upheld comprehensively, with no room for anyone to toy with the legal system,” Danish said.

On Tuesday, Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat that MACC was only able to charge two assemblypersons because the allegations against the other six were hearsay.

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