Albert Tei Barred From Entering Sabah For Failing To Show Court Documents

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Businessman Datuk Albert Tei (centre) pleaded not guilty at the Kota Kinabalu Special Corruption Sessions Court on June 30 and failed to appear during case management yesterday. Today, the Special Corruption Court rejected his application for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA).-NSTP FILE PICKOTA KINABALU: Businessman Datuk Albert Tei did not present the required documents for court attendance, despite being listed under an active Notice of Restriction Order (NAS) when attempting to enter Sabah yesterday.
Sabah Immigration director Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yusof said when questioned by immigration officers at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), Tei said that he came to Sabah merely to "try entering the state" and to meet a friend.
She said upon arrival at KKIA yesterday, Tei did not produce any documents or a court summons during inspection, prompting the immigration officer on duty to issue a Notice of Refusal of Entry (NPM) against him.
"Investigations found that during the document inspection at KKIA, his name appeared on an active NAS record.
"As a result, the officer at the entry checkpoint interviewed him, and he said that his purpose for entering Sabah was to meet a friend and to attempt entry without providing any proof of the reason for his visit.
"Further checks revealed that the NAS, issued under the directive of state authorities, remains active, and the individual is only allowed entry for the purpose of attending court proceedings.
"Since he did not produce any documents or court summons during inspection, the officer issued the NPM as he had failed to comply with entry conditions as a visitor under the provisions of the Immigration Act 1959/63," she said in a statement today.
The statement was issued in response to media reports and a viral video involving Albert Tei at KKIA yesterday.
The video showed Tei questioning the Sabah government's action in barring him from entering the state, even though he claimed his purpose was to attend court proceedings.
Tei faces two charges of offering bribes to a Sabah state assemblyman in connection with a mineral exploration application in the state.
He pleaded not guilty at the Kota Kinabalu Special Corruption Sessions Court on June 30 and failed to appear during case management yesterday.
Today, the Special Corruption Court rejected Tei's application for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA).
Tei claimed he was barred from entering Sabah and therefore failed to appear at court.
His application was made by his lawyer, Edward Paul.
The Immigration Department also received a report from KKIA on the incident and has launched an internal investigation to determine the facts of the case.
Sitti Saleha said that Immigration records showed Tei had previously been allowed entry in September after presenting a court summons to officers at the entry checkpoint.
"This shows that he was already aware of the entry procedures that must be followed in relation to the NAS imposed on him.
"Therefore, the statement made by his lawyer at the Kota Kinabalu Court on Oct 24, 2025, claiming that his client was prevented from attending court proceedings, is inaccurate and does not reflect the actual situation.
"The Immigration Department emphasises that the officer's actions on the day of the incident were carried out based on established Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and were not influenced by any party.
"The department always ensures that every decision is made in accordance with the law, relevant documents, and information presented during inspection," she said.
She also advised all persons subject to NAS to comply with entry requirements and present complete supporting documents to avoid complications at entry points.
"The Immigration Department remains committed to safeguarding the country's security and sovereignty while upholding professionalism, integrity, and adherence to the law in all service matters," she added. - NST

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