Here’s a hard truth: heroes don’t bribe their way to success, yet that’s exactly what Albert Tei seems to think he’s done. In a move that’s sparked outrage, the controversial businessman at the heart of the Sabah mining scandal has been slammed by Malaysia Corruption Watch for portraying himself as a hero—despite openly admitting to paying bribes to secure mining licenses. But here’s where it gets controversial: Tei claims he was just trying to break into the industry, and if his money is returned, he’ll consider the matter settled. Really? Let’s unpack this.
On November 14, 2025, Malaysia Corruption Watch president Jais Abdul Karim didn’t hold back, calling Tei’s actions unacceptable. In a recent podcast, Tei confessed to paying off individuals, framing the funds as political donations. Jais pointed out the obvious: if Tei truly wanted to operate legally, bribery shouldn’t have been an option. And this is the part most people miss—Tei tried to justify his actions by blaming systemic corruption in Sabah. But Jais countered that proper channels exist for reporting such issues to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. Integrity, Jais emphasized, isn’t built on greasing palms.
Tei’s self-proclaimed role as ‘the hero who rectifies a broken system’ rings hollow, especially when he’s willing to ‘shut up’ if his RM8 million is returned. Last month, Malaysiakini exposed alleged WhatsApp messages between Tei and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president Jeffrey Kitingan, suggesting Kitingan received RM1.78 million from Tei. The messages also hinted at efforts to shield Tei’s silica sand mining operations from scrutiny, labeling the project as their ‘piggy bank.’
Adding fuel to the fire, Tei’s podcast appearance came amid ongoing court cases involving him and two former assemblymen. In June, Andi Suryady Bandy and Dr. Yusof Yacob were charged with receiving bribes, while Tei faced two counts of giving them. All three pleaded not guilty. Jais criticized Tei’s podcast revelations as risky and potentially self-incriminating, noting that a podcast isn’t a courtroom. With the Sabah election looming, Jais questioned whether Tei’s timing was calculated to push anti-establishment narratives, giving certain groups an unfair advantage.
Here’s the real question: Can someone who admits to bribery ever be considered a hero? Or is Tei’s narrative just a thinly veiled attempt to save face? Let’s discuss—what do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more updates delivered straight to your inbox.