Businessperson Albert Tei has welcomed any legal action brought before the courts if there are doubts about the authenticity of the evidence he has revealed, said his lawyer Mahajoth Singh.

He was responding to his client’s allegations against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s former senior political secretary, Shamsul Iskandar Akin, as well as a subsequent video claiming that Anwar was aware of Tei’s plan to secretly record Sabah leaders in connection with the mining scandal.

Mahajoth (above, left) also noted that neither Shamsul nor Anwar have denied the allegations.

“In matters of this gravity, silence speaks louder than speculation,” he added in a statement this afternoon.

He further highlighted that while Anwar publicly stated that MACC is free to commence an immediate investigation “without interference” and the MACC has since confirmed it will investigate, it is “astonishing” that Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng declared that “no money was taken” and that the evidence is “doctored” or “baseless.”

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng

“These sweeping conclusions not only lack foundation, but they also directly contradict the position that the authorities must investigate in accordance with the law.

“How can anyone responsibly assert that no wrongdoing occurred or that the evidence is fabricated, when the investigation has not even begun and the individuals concerned have yet to deny the allegations?

“These contradictory political narratives raise a fundamental concern; if an investigation is genuinely intended to proceed ‘without interference,’ why are ministers and MPs already acting as judge, jury and spokespersons for the accused?” he added.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming

Earlier, Malaysiakini reported that Nga linked Shamsul’s resignation to a support letter issue from last year, not corruption, whereas Lim dismissed the video implicating Anwar as a “doctored clip” with “vague allegations” which cannot be construed as evidence.

Quick to defend

Commenting further, Mahajoth claimed that the inconsistent positions give the impression of a government more focused on protecting those implicated than allowing a proper and impartial investigation to take its course.

“My client has taken significant personal risk in disclosing this material, and efforts to discredit him before any investigation has taken place send a chilling message to witnesses and whistleblowers in corruption cases.

“No system committed to transparency should tolerate an environment where individuals who come forward with evidence are immediately targeted rather than heard.

“As elected MPs, the proper response to even an iota of credible evidence suggesting corruption should be to demand a thorough investigation in the public interest, not to immediately shield the individual implicated,” he added.

Mahajoth said the willingness of certain politicians to defend rather than scrutinise raises troubling questions about priorities and loyalties.

“What a peculiar state of affairs when those entrusted to safeguard accountability instead rush to protect the very subject of serious allegations.

“My client has consistently cooperated with investigators, provided documentary material, and remains prepared to assist any independent and impartial investigation,” he added.

Tei claims over RM600k spent on Shamsul

Earlier today, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said both Shamsul and Tei would be summoned for questioning.

PKR leader Shamsul Iskandar Akin

This followed a Malaysiakini report yesterday in which Tei claimed he had spent more than RM600,000 on Shamsul after being assured the aide would help him recover funds given to Sabah politicians.

READ MORE: 'Cigars and suits' - Albert implicates PM's senior aide in mining scandal

Soon after Malaysiakini contacted Shamsul for comment, he announced on X that he had tendered his resignation as Anwar’s aide and vowed to defend himself against allegations, which he did not specify.

Tei, who is on the warpath against Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) politicians over the cancellation of mineral exploration licences, has implicated more than a dozen politicians.

The businessperson accused the politicians of accepting bribes in exchange for the licences. Tei and two assemblypersons were subsequently charged.

GRS chairperson and Sabah caretaker chief minister Hajiji Noor has accused Tei of being part of a cartel aiming to monopolise mining in the state.

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