'They pointed a gun at him, deleted videos on phones': Albert's wife

• UPDATED 4.58PM | Added MACC response to allegations that agency officers pointed a gun at Albert Tei's head.

Businessperson Albert Tei’s wife alleged that MACC officers were heavy-handed when raiding her home today, with the officers pointing a gun at the former before handcuffing him.

Recounting her ordeal, Tei’s wife, who wished to be known only as Lee, said the officers barged into their home through the main door.

“At the time, Tei was already heading downstairs before he was instructed to move to a corner.

“Soon, he was instructed to lie on the floor, and a few officers handcuffed him, with one pointing a gun at Tei from a distance,” Lee told Malaysiakini.

Once the officers were settled with Tei, Lee alleged that her other family members were instructed to move to another corner.

Subsequently, she claimed that the officers confiscated their mobile phones, including the children’s, purportedly to delete videos and images from the devices.

“They took away all our phones… deleted all the videos… but I’m unsure what got deleted,” Lee said, adding that the devices were later returned.

Later, Lee claimed that the officers also used a red-coloured device to check her home, seemingly in an attempt to find something.

“They checked everywhere… the curtains, our bags… everywhere.

“Perhaps, they were looking for other cameras,” she added.

MACC issues denial

MACC has denied that its officers ever pointed a gun at Tei's head and accused Lee of slander.

READ MORE: MACC nabs trio in Shamsul probe, denies pointing gun at Albert

In a statement, its chief commissioner, Azam Baki, claimed that the arrest was carried out in accordance with established procedures.

"A police report has been lodged today to enable the relevant authorities to investigate the slander made against the MACC officers involved.

"The police report is also to ensure that no parties disseminate any unverified information, possibly with the intention of disrupting the investigation currently being undertaken by MACC," he said.

Raid in full tactical gear

Earlier, MACC officers in full tactical gear - including bulletproof vests and balaclavas - raided Tei’s home and escorted him into an unmarked black sedan.

His legal counsel, Zaid Malek, who recorded the video, was heard asking the officers repeatedly where they were taking Tei and to speak to the officer in charge, but to no avail.

Tei, who is the central figure in a slew of corruption allegations against prominent politicians, was seen raising his hands to the camera several times while chanting “lawan tetap lawan” (we fight on) before he was placed inside the car.

In response to Zaid asking if he was being arrested, Tei said, "They broke into my house, broke down my door, (pointed) six pistols at my head.

"Six pistols at my head, as if I were a terrorist! That is the consequence of exposing leaders at the top."

In a twist, the officers returned to Tei’s home within minutes, only to take him away again later.

Akin to kidnapping

Later, when met by Malaysiakini at Tei’s home, Zaid said the MACC officers had left for a second time at approximately 12.50pm, with the businessperson in their custody, without disclosing where they were taking him.

Likening the authorities’ actions to an act of kidnapping, Zaid slammed the officers for acting unjustly and behaving in a way that “makes it seem like the law doesn’t exist in Malaysia.”

“Not a single MACC or police officer showed me their authority card.

“I asked them repeatedly where (Tei) was being taken to, and not a single officer informed me (of the details),” he stated.

He confirmed that while Tei had been issued a search warrant for his home, the document was sent from “an unknown number claiming to be a MACC officer” who allegedly failed to state his identity.

Mining licence scandal

Tei has been on a warpath to take down politicians whom he allegedly gave money to for mineral exploration licences, which he did not end up getting.

His latest accusation was levelled against Malacca PKR chief Shamsul Iskandar Akin, whom Tei claimed he had spent RM629,000 on.

Shamsul, who is a former political secretary to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, had purportedly assured Tei that he could recoup the money channelled to politicians in Sabah.

Tei had also furnished Malaysiakini with WhatsApp screenshots from December 2023 in which Shamsul purportedly requested money while travelling abroad.

In another snippet of Tei’s conversation with Shamsul’s alleged proxy, it was alleged that Anwar had given the green light for Tei to record his conversations about kickbacks with Sabah politicians.

Shamsul has since resigned as Anwar’s political secretary in anticipation of the accusations levelled against him. He has vowed to defend himself.

He has lodged a police report against Tei over a claim linking Anwar to video recordings of several Sabah politicians in the mining licence scandal.

MACC is expected to record Shamsul’s statement today.

• MACC nabs trio in Shamsul probe, denies pointing gun at Albert

• 'Is Albert a terrorist?' - Hanipa questions 'heavy-handed' MACC raid

• Anwar urges ministers to keep tabs on aides following scandal

• What about integrity of GRS politicians who didn't resign, Zaid asks PM

• Officers in balaclavas arrest Albert, lawyer in dark on whereabouts

• 'Evidence first,' says PSSC chair over calls for Azam to go on leave

• Warisan leader questions consistency of MACC investigations

Officers in balaclavas arrest Albert, lawyer in dark on whereabouts

What about integrity of GRS politicians who didn't resign, Zaid asks PM

'Evidence first,' says PSSC chair over calls for Azam to go on leave

Shamsul to provide MACC statement on scandal tomorrow

'Tainted Madani, distrusted MACC': C4, Bersih and allies fire explosive salvo

COMMENT | Legal stakes in the Shamsul affair