KOTA KINABALU: Whistleblower Datuk Tei Jiann Cheing, now the accused in a high-profile corruption case, wants to know why only the small fry are being prosecuted when bigger fish are still swimming free.

The 37-year-old businessman is urging the authorities to act on evidence he claims to have submitted to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) implicating high-ranking political figures in the Sabah mineral prospecting licensing probe.

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“I have been charged today (Monday, Jan 30), but what about the rest? Why only charge the ‘ikan bilis’ (anchovies) while the sharks are still out there?” he told the media after his court appearance.

“I handed over evidence to the MACC. Why were only two people picked? Is it because our ‘connections’ are not strong enough?”

Tei also raised concerns about what he described as an unusual delay in his case.

He said he would not be intimidated and vowed to continue speaking out, even if others were hoping to silence him.

He also accused the authorities of sending a “poisonous signal” to Malaysians by charging the whistleblower in a corruption case instead of protecting him.

Tei’s lawyer Edward Paul described the case as “unusual”, as the whistleblower was also charged alongside the alleged recipients of bribes.

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Tei was charged under Section 16(b)(A) of the MACC Act 2009 for offering bribes, and if convicted, faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribe.

Special Corruption Court Judge Jason Juga has fixed Aug 5 for pre-trial case management and granted Tei RM60,000 bail with RM15,000 deposited under one local surety.

Tei is reported to be the businessman behind the so-called “whistleblower videos” exposing politicians allegedly involved in corrupt activities between 2023 and last year, in exchange for assistance in processing mineral exploration licence applications.

State assemblymen Dr Yusof Yacob (Sindumin) and Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy (Tanjung Batu) were also charged separately on Monday with receiving bribes.

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SABAH & SARAWAK/COURTS CRIME