Sabah Assemblymen and Businessman Charged for Bribery

Strategic Insights -

Two Sabah-based assemblymen, Datuk Yusof Yacob and Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy, and businessman Datuk Albert Tei have been charged in court for their involvement in a bribery scandal worth RM350,000. The two assemblymen allegedly received bribes from Tei in exchange for assistance in obtaining approval for mineral prospecting licenses in Sabah. Tei, who was also charged, is accused of offering the bribes. The trial is set to begin on August 5, with the three men facing up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to five times the amount of the bribe.

Key Takeaways:

  • Datuk Yusof Yacob and Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy, two Sabah-based assemblymen, were charged with receiving bribes worth RM200,000 and RM150,000, respectively, in exchange for assistance in obtaining approval for mineral prospecting licenses in Sabah.
  • Businessman Datuk Albert Tei was charged with offering the bribes and is accused of committing the offense under Section 16(b)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.
  • The trial is set to begin on August 5, with the three men facing up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to five times the amount of the bribe.
  • The bribery scandal is alleged to have occurred between 2023 and 2024, with some 100 supporters of the assemblymen attending the court proceedings.
  • Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah secretary Datuk Mohamed Razali Razi attended the proceedings, along with lawyers for the assemblymen and Tei.

Statistics:

  • RM350,000: The total amount of bribes allegedly received by the two assemblymen.
  • RM200,000: The amount of bribes received by Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Yusof Yacob from Tei on March 6, 2023.
  • RM150,000: The amount of bribes received by Tanjung Batu assemblyman Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy from Tei on May 12, 2023.
  • 20 years: The maximum sentence for the offense of accepting bribes.
  • Five times the amount of the bribe: The maximum fine for the offense of accepting bribes.

Sources:

  • "Two assemblymen, business-linked to bribery case, plead not guilty"

- The Star (no date mentioned)

  • MACC Act 2009

- Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission

  • Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah

- No date or publication mentioned