Shamsul Iskandar Pleads Not Guilty to Four Bribery Charges Involving RM176,829 Linked to Sabah Mining Licences

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4: Former senior political secretary to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, has pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court to four charges of bribery involving cash and goods totalling RM176,829.03. The alleged offenses are connected to the approval of mineral exploration and mining licenses in Sabah.

According to the charges, Shamsul Iskandar is accused of receiving RM140,000 in cash and furniture and electrical items worth RM36,829.03 from businessman Tei Jiann Cheing, also known as Albert Tei. The alleged transactions occurred on four separate occasions between Nov 24, 2023, and March 5, 2024.

Prosecutors said the alleged bribes were intended as inducements for Shamsul Iskandar to assist companies linked to Tei in securing mining-related approvals in Sabah.

The charges were brought under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of at least five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Wearing a yellow batik shirt in court, Shamsul Iskandar rejected the allegations after they were read out before Sessions Court judge Suzana Hussin. “I plead not guilty. I ask for a trial,” he said.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan noted that the offenses fall under Section 388 of the Criminal Procedure Code, making them non-bailable. Nonetheless, the prosecution proposed bail of RM300,000 should the court choose to grant it, citing Shamsul Iskandar’s former government position and extensive network.

Farah Ezlin also requested additional conditions, including two bailors, surrender of his passport, monthly reporting to MACC headquarters, and a gag order preventing interference with witnesses.

Defense counsel Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad argued that RM300,000 was excessive, proposing a bail amount not exceeding RM50,000. He stressed his client’s presumption of innocence and highlighted that Shamsul had lodged a police report immediately after allegations circulated online.

Co-counsel Yusmadi Yusoff added that the accused is currently unemployed, with a wife employed as a government doctor and three children, one of whom is in college. He said a high bail amount would place undue financial strain on the family.

Judge Suzana ultimately set bail at RM150,000 with two sureties and ordered Shamsul Iskandar to surrender his passport, report to MACC monthly, and refrain from contacting any witnesses.

The case has been scheduled for mention on Jan 8.