Meeting was Tei’s first encounter with Mahathir.
Businessperson Albert Tei has denied that his recent meeting with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had any political motive, saying he sought the latter solely for advice regarding the corruption case he is facing.
According to Berita Harian, Tei — whose full name is Tei Jiann Cheing, 37 — said the widely shared photo of the meeting had sparked “groundless speculation”, despite it being his first time meeting Dr Mahathir.
“The photo that went viral was actually the first day in my life that I met him. I was shocked to see all kinds of theories online suggesting I have political ties with Dr Mahathir,” he told reporters outside the Shah Alam Courts Complex today.
“Some even said I’m supposedly ‘Tun M’s man’, that there is a conspiracy and all sorts of things. I ask that people stop slandering him and myself.”
Earlier, Tei was charged in the Sessions Court with offering a bribe to Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, the former senior political secretary to the prime minister, allegedly to help a company linked to him obtain approval for a mineral exploration licence in Sabah. He pleaded not guilty.
Tei said that during his meeting with Dr Mahathir at the Perdana Leadership Foundation last week, he briefed the former premier on his legal predicament, including safety threats he said he had previously received after exposing alleged misconduct by certain individuals.
He said Dr Mahathir listened throughout the hour-long discussion and offered guidance drawn from his experience.
“He did not ask a single question about politics. He only advised me to take the appropriate steps. That’s all.
“There was no political link, no suggestion that I meet anyone, no agenda,” he said.
Asked why he sought out Dr Mahathir, Tei said a friend had suggested the former prime minister might provide useful perspective due to his extensive experience.