Albert Reveals Scrap Metal Monopoly Scandal Targets Pbs Chief

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Businessperson Albert Tei, who first exposed the Sabah mining scandal involving more than a dozen politicians, has now opened another can of worms.
Tei claimed playing a role in Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) acting president Dr Joachim Gunsalam’s alleged bid to monopolise the state’s scrap metal industry when the latter was serving as deputy chief minister and industrial development minister.
He also challenged Gunsalam - who has denied the allegation - to lodge a police report if the claim is false.
To support his claim, Tei produced two purported official letters from 2022 - one allegedly signed by Gunsalam and another by PBS deputy president Jahid Jahim, who also serves as rural development minister.
Both PBS leaders have already been linked to the mining licence scandal.
Tei alleged that his role in the scrap metal venture was to set up a proxy company on their behalf to obtain official approval.
Businessperson Albert Tei“Since both were ‘VVIP’ ministers with power and influence in Sabah, I was compelled to follow their instructions. However, I withdrew from the monopoly scheme at the end of 2022.
“I have all the documents and evidence to prove this matter. I challenge them to lodge a police report if this allegation is false,” he told Malaysiakini in a statement.
Exclusive rights
Tei claimed that Gunsalam had planned to obtain exclusive rights for the proxy firm to export scrap metal out of Sabah.
“This means that once this exclusive operator was appointed by his ministry, no other scrap metal trader would be allowed to export directly outside Sabah.
“All scrap metal traders would have to sell their collected materials to the exclusive operator at low prices, while the operator would reap huge profits through this planned monopoly,” he added.
ADSHowever, Gunsalam claimed that it was Tei who wanted to monopolise the scrap metal business, but he had turned him down.
“Because there are already so many scrap metal dealers in Sabah. They wanted to use a firm like a GLC to control all, but it’s not possible. So I told him that,” he told Malaysiakini.
PBS chief Joachim GunsalamWhen pointed out that there was a letter in which he had given his “approval”, Gunsalam referred to it as a “surat sokongan (letter of support).”
“Itu sokongan, sokongan, disokong (That is support, support, to support). But it doesn’t mean that the (state) government will agree to it, and based on that, semua ini tidak jadi (this did not happen) because the (state) government didn’t agree to it,” he added.
Agreement in principle
In the alleged letter to Tei’s company (whose name was redacted) dated April 14, 2022, Gunsalam stated that his then ministry, in principle, “bersetuju (agreed)” to the proposal to form a special purpose vehicle (SPV), subject to approval by the Sabah state government.
“Follow-up action will be taken promptly. The cooperation and attention of (redacted) are greatly appreciated. Thank you,” read the letter, which bore the letterhead of the office of the deputy chief minister and the Industrial Development Ministry.
In another letter disclosed by Tei, which was dated March 7, 2022, Rural Development Minister Jahid wrote to Gunsalam seeking approval to establish the SPV.
The proposal was to “establish a company (Special Purpose Vehicle – SPV) named Sabah Scrap Solution Sdn Bhd, to be appointed as a ‘pengendali khas’ (special operator) with a 10-year contract period, to monitor and ensure the implementation and collection of State Sales Tax (CJN) on scrap metal waste exported from Sabah, effective from Feb 1, 2022.”
Jahid referred to a proposal submitted by a firm on Feb 28, 2022, which he reviewed and endorsed for implementation. The firm, owned by Tei, had its name redacted.
“Based on the proposal, the most important factor is that it can help and safeguard the welfare of small traders in this industry, most of whom are from the B40 group and are in great need of the government’s attention and concern.
“In this regard, to assist those mostly from the B40 group and below, I fully support the proposal,” read the letter, which bore the letterhead of the office of the rural development minister.
Malaysiakini has contacted Jahid and his aide for comment.
‘Political donation’
Tei made the fresh allegation after Gunsalam denied accepting RM600,000 in bribes from the businessperson in connection with the mining scandal and accused Tei of attempting to monopolise mineral mining in the state.
Responding to this, Tei claimed in his statement that Gunsalam was trying to put a “political donation” spin on the allegation.
“I once again demand that he produce letters, receipts, bank statements, or any related documents to prove that he had requested or received a political contribution from me.
“The others have made the same excuse as well. However, when I demand documents to back their claims, not one of them could produce any proof - because the truth is, it was corruption,” he added.
So far, Tei and two of the assemblypersons he exposed have been charged in connection with the case. The fate of the others, including two deputy chief ministers and senior state ministers, remains unclear. - Mkini

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