Cigars And Suits Albert Implicates Pm S Senior Aide In Mining Scandal

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(Editor’s note: In a posting on X at 5.20pm, Shamsul Iskandar Akin announced his resignation, saying he was made aware of an attempt to attack him with an issue that could ruin the government’s image. He has vowed to defend himself.)
EXCLUSIVE | Businessperson Albert Tei, who has an axe to grind with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) over the cancellation of his mineral exploration licences, has dropped a fresh bombshell just days before the state election.
He has now implicated Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s senior political secretary, Shamsul Iskandar Akin, in the mining scandal, alleging that he spent RM629,000 on him after being purportedly assured that he could recoup the money channelled to politicians in Sabah.
Malaysiakini has contacted Shamsul for comment.
According to Tei, he has compiled a dossier exceeding 300 pages, including screenshots of WhatsApp conversations and receipts, to substantiate his claims against Shamsul.
Among other things, he claimed to have paid for renovations, appliances and furnishings for two properties – one in Bangsar and an official residence in Putrajaya.
The list allegedly includes leather furniture, dining tables, home theatre systems, washing machines, a clothes dryer and a massage chair.
Tei also provided “before and after” photographs of various rooms in the Putrajaya residence, showing upgraded furnishings, beds, lighting fixtures, and curtains.
He further claimed to have spent thousands of ringgit on premium cigars and even tailored several suits for the political aide, providing copies of the tailor’s receipt and body measurements.
Tei also furnished Malaysiakini with WhatsApp screenshots from December 2023 in which Shamsul purportedly requested money while travelling abroad.
The businessperson alleged that he also has evidence of cash changing hands: RM20,000 (Nov 8, 2023 in Kota Kinabalu), RM100,000 in Kuala Lumpur (Nov 24, 2023), RM100,000 in Bukit Puchong (Dec 15, 2023), RM50,000 in Kuala Lumpur (Jan 22, 2024), RM50,000 in Kuala Lumpur (April 26, 2024), and US$6,000 in Kuala Lumpur (April 4, 2024).
Shamsul’s ‘proxy’
In a statement, Tei claimed that he was introduced to Shamsul by a woman, whom he said was the political aide’s proxy. Their first meeting took place on Nov 8, 2023, at about 10pm at the Jesselton Cigaro in Kota Kinabalu.
He also claimed to possess evidence substantiating that the aforementioned woman had acted on behalf of Shamsul.
Since last November, Tei has revealed a slew of videos, documents, and WhatsApp screenshots implicating more than a dozen GRS politicians in the scandal, accusing them of accepting bribes in exchange for mineral exploration licences.
Tei and two assemblypersons were subsequently charged.
GRS chairperson and caretaker chief minister Hajiji Noor has accused Tei of being part of a cartel aiming to monopolise mining in the state.
- Mkini

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