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KOTA KINABALU: Two Sabah assemblymen, Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy and Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, along with a businessman from Selangor, were charged with corruption involving RM350,000 linked to mineral exploration licence applications in the state.

Andi, 44, the Tanjung Batu assemblyman and assistant Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, and Dr Yusof, 69, the Sindumin Assemblyman, along with businessman Datuk Tei Jiann Cheing, 37, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before Sessions Court Judge Jason Juga.

According to the charges, Andi and Yusof allegedly received bribes from Tei as inducement to facilitate applications by two companies, Syarikat Nusa Kini Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Sinaran Hayat Sdn Bhd, owned by Tei’s business partners, for mineral exploration licences in Sabah.

Tei faces two charges for allegedly offering the bribes to the two assemblymen for the same purpose.

Andi and Yusof were charged under Section 16A(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carries a maximum jail sentence of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.