KUALA LUMPUR – Businessman Albert Tei has been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), following a raid at his home in Puchong this morning, his lawyer said.
According to Zaid Malek, MACC officers allegedly forced their way into his client’s home this morning before arresting him and escorting him into a vehicle, in handcuffs.
Reports quoted the Lawyers for Liberty director saying that both the police and MACC officers were present during the raid, and that he was denied a request to meet Tei, which he said was a breach of his client’s constitutional right to counsel.
“Subsequently, they brought Tei out handcuffed. He was surrounded by balaclava-clad armed officers. It was as if they were arresting a terrorist.
“The officers refused to identify themselves or state where Albert was being brought to,” Zaid was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today (FMT).
Tei was initially set to be questioned on Monday over allegations of bribery to Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, the former senior political secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
No clue about whereabouts
Meanwhile, the New Straits Times (NST) reported that Tei’s family is in the dark about his whereabouts, following his arrest.
Zaid said the raid was informed via a search warrant delivered to another of Tei’s lawyers, Mahajoth Singh, via a WhatsApp from an unknown number this morning.
“When the team arrived at about 8am, they did not identify the agency they represented. Tei was taken away at 10.58am in a vehicle, returned to his residence at 11.09am, and taken away again at 12.50pm,” Zaid was reported saying when contacted.
The businessman was then reportedly taken away in a vehicle with an unregistered number plate by enforcement personnel who did not show their identification cards when asked.
“No explanations were given, including to his wife, who was present during the raid.”
NST also reported that Shamsul arrived at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya for questioning.
Aside from the two individuals, the graft busters are also currently questioning a woman named Sofia Rini Buyong, who allegedly acted as a proxy for Shamsul. She has denied the proxy charges, describing them as “false and malicious”.
Shamsul resigned as Anwar’s political secretary earlier this week, following a controversy over a letter of support for contractors involved in a hospital project.
The Melaka PKR chief also allegedly got Tei to spend RM629,000 for him, including for property renovation work, as well as for premium cigars and a bespoke suit.
In June, Tei was charged with two counts of bribing Sabah state assembly members in connection with a mineral licensing scandal in the state.– November 28, 2025