Summary

  • Sabah PN chief Ronald Kiandee urges Sabah voters to back PN in the state polls, after recent allegations by businessperson Albert Tei against PM Anwar Ibrahim's senior aide.

  • Tei levels detailed accusations against the aide, now ex-senior political secretary Shamsul Iskandar Akin, including claims of substantial payments, luxury expenses, and requests for funds.

  • Shamsul yesterday announced his resignation, and MACC will be probing him and Tei.

SABAH POLLS | Sabah Perikatan Nasional chairperson Ronald Kiandee has called on Sabahans to “rise and uphold the truth” by voting for PN candidates in the upcoming state polls, framing the election as an opportunity to reclaim the state’s wealth amid an escalating mineral scandal.

The former Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker said that recent allegations by controversial businessperson Albert Tei, which implicated Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim through his now ex-senior political secretary, Shamsul Iskandar Akin, had opened the eyes of the people of Sabah.

“Through these disclosures, the people of Sabah can finally see that the prime minister’s previous statements, including those made in Parliament, contradict the principles of transparency and were clearly aimed at protecting and saving certain leaders within the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition,” Ronald alleged.

He added that the coalition would continue pushing for full accountability, regardless of the political status of those involved.

“I call upon all people of Sabah to rise in defence of the truth and to restore the wealth of this state through the ballot box by giving victory to PN candidates in the state polls on Nov 29.

“PN pledges to uphold the truth regarding this entire scandal and ensure that every individual responsible is brought to justice, regardless of rank, title, or position,” he added.

Albert drops new allegations

Yesterday, businessperson Albert Tei told Malaysiakini that he had spent RM629,000 on Shamsul after being allegedly assured that he could recoup the money through payments channelled to politicians in Sabah.

Among the expenses Tei claimed to have covered were renovations, appliances, and furnishings for two properties, one in Bangsar and an official residence in Putrajaya.

Shamsul Iskandar Akin (left) and Albert Tei

He further claimed to have spent thousands on premium cigars and tailored several suits for the aide, providing copies of receipts and body measurements.

Tei also shared with Malaysiakini WhatsApp screenshots from December 2023 in which Shamsul allegedly requested money to travel abroad.

Shamsul resigned as Anwar’s political secretary yesterday and vowed to defend himself, alleging that he was being targeted with an issue intended to damage the government’s image.

After Shamsul announced his resignation, a video in which a woman claimed that Anwar was aware of Tei’s plan to record Sabah politicians linked to the mining scandal was released last night. The woman was alleged to be Shamsul's proxy.

The video that was uploaded on the “Pejuang Tun Mahathir” Facebook page also prompted PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari to demand clarification on the allegations.

Resignation accepted

In a statement today, Anwar said that he has accepted Shamsul's resignation amid the corruption scandal.

While not delving into the allegations against Shamsul, Anwar said he would not interfere with any MACC investigations.

In a statement this afternoon, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said that the agency will investigate claims that Malacca PKR chief Shamsul had received benefits from Tei.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki

To facilitate this, Azam said both Tei and Shamsul would be called in for questioning.

Separately, Sabah PKR chief Mustafar Sakmud said MACC must be given full space to complete its investigation according to procedure, free from political pressure—this is fundamental to the institutional reforms long advocated for.

In the increasingly heated political climate ahead of the Sabah state election, Sabah PKR urges all Sabahans not to be influenced by slanderous politics, incitement, or attempts to manipulate issues to confuse the public.

“The future of Sabah should not be determined by elite political games, but through facts, honesty, and policies that bring real benefit to the people of Sabah,” said Mustafar.

'Support letter' controversy

Shamsul is also under the spotlight over a letter of support he penned in May last year for six contractors who wanted to participate in a hospital project.

The matter resurfaced in Parliament last week, to which Anwar responded that he had reprimanded the now-former political secretary.

However, Anwar later rejected calls to sack Shamsul over the letter. Shamsul did not link his resignation to the support letter issue, and Anwar himself had said that the letter was not a cause for dismissal.

In a gala dinner in Sabah last night, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming claimed that Shamsul's resignation was not because of corruption, and instead, he linked it to the support letter issue.

The support letter, as described by Nga, was penned by Shamsul on May 6 last year and was leaked not long after, prompting a discussion in Parliament in which Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad acknowledged receiving the letter but denied acting on it.

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