Post by : Rameen Ariff

A corruption investigation has started in Malaysia after a local businessman accused Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s former political aide, Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, of accepting bribes worth over US$152,000. The allegations claim the money was used for personal expenses such as home renovations, premium cigars, and tailored suits.

The businessman, Albert Tei, made the claims amid a wider scandal involving mining projects in Sabah. He said he gave RM629,000 (about US$152,215) to Shamsul Iskandar, believing the money would help him recover investments linked to politicians in Sabah. These allegations surfaced shortly after Shamsul resigned from his post as senior political secretary to the prime minister on November 25.

Following the accusations, Shamsul denied the claims and said he had filed a police report against Albert Tei, describing the allegations as baseless and defamatory. Shamsul also accused Tei of attempting to tarnish Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s image during the ongoing Sabah election campaign. He stated his full cooperation with any investigation carried out by authorities, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

MACC has confirmed it will summon both Tei and Shamsul for questioning and will call other relevant parties to gather evidence. The commission’s chief commissioner, Azam Baki, urged the public not to speculate while the investigation is ongoing.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his support for the investigation and assured that there would be no interference in the probe. He thanked Shamsul for his service and emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency and integrity.

The scandal comes after Shamsul was also involved in a controversy regarding a letter of support he wrote for contractors bidding on a hospital renovation project. Critics accused him of influencing public procurement improperly, calling for his dismissal.

Albert Tei has a history of making public allegations related to corruption in Sabah’s mining sector. Recently, he released covert videos claiming to show bribery negotiations between Sabah state lawmakers and himself. However, Tei, along with some state assemblymen, has been charged with bribery and denies wrongdoing, saying his videos were motivated by a personal vendetta after his mineral exploration licenses were canceled.

This investigation and the related controversies come at a sensitive time during the Sabah state election, which is seen as an important test for the ruling coalition Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and the federal government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The outcome could influence the political landscape in Malaysia in the coming months.

Authorities continue to investigate the allegations carefully while the public awaits further updates. The government maintains its stance on upholding the rule of law and ensuring all individuals involved are held accountable if found guilty.

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