KUALA LUMPUR: Former Felda chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad's corruption case review and proceedings involving former army chief Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan are among the high-profile court cases expected to draw public attention this week.
The review of Isa's corruption conviction is scheduled for this Friday after he was granted permission to review a previous panel's decision that reinstated his conviction, a six-year prison sentence, and a RM15.45 million fine.
On May 13, a three-member panel chaired by Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Seri Hashim Hamzah adjourned the hearing to allow a defence application to access the court recording and transcription (CRT) of the proceedings on Feb 5 and 10 regarding Isa's appeal.
Isa's counsel had requested the CRT to determine whether the previous Federal Court panel had provided an opportunity for oral submissions on the merits of the defence and the mitigation of sentence after he was found guilty.
Isa, 76, is currently serving a six-year prison sentence after the Federal Court on Feb 10 allowed the prosecution's appeal to set aside his acquittal, thereby restoring his corruption conviction, jail term, and fine.
On Feb 3, 2021, the High Court found him guilty and sentenced him to six years' imprisonment and a RM15.45 million fine, with an additional two years' jail in default of the fine.
However, the Court of Appeal on March 6, 2024, acquitted Isa of all nine corruption charges involving RM3 million over the purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites (MPHS) in Kuching, Sarawak, by Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FICSB).
The former Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar was accused of receiving RM3.09 million in bribes from Ikhwan Zaidel, who was then a director of Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd, through his former special officer Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, as an inducement to approve the purchase of MPHS by FICSB for RM160 million.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the case involving former Army Chief Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his wife, Salwani Anuar @ Kamaruddin, will be brought up for mention at the Sessions Court here.
In previous proceedings, a total of 45 documents, including recorded statements and bank account statements, were served to the defence in the case of Hafizuddeain and Salwani, who are facing charges of receiving proceeds from unlawful activities.
On Jan 22, Hafizuddeain, 58, was charged in the Sessions Court here with four counts of receiving proceeds of unlawful activities totalling RM969,000, RM474,850, RM488,550, and RM190,000 deposited into three of his bank accounts.
The offences were allegedly committed at three banks in different locations — Jalan Melaka, Bukit Damansara, and the city centre — between Feb 2, 2024, and Nov 7, 2025.
The charges were framed under Subsection 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA), which is punishable under Subsection 4(1) of the same Act.
Today, the case of a non-governmental organisation president accused of defaming the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) will come up for mention.
Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, 58, was previously charged with making defamatory statements regarding alleged payment arrears for a mosque construction, with intent to tarnish the reputation of Mais, in addition to using the royal palace's name without authorisation.
During previous proceedings, Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah allowed bail of RM5,000 with one surety for Ridzuan, who had contested the Kuala Langat parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election.
Mais had previously said that it would take legal action against parties spreading false allegations regarding supposed outstanding payments for the construction of Masjid Al-Madaniah in Jalan USJ 18/7, Subang Jaya.
On Wednesday, the trial of 11 men accused of being members of an organised crime group known as "Geng RT6" will commence at the Sessions Court.
The accused — identified as A. Raja Ratanam, K. Sunthreson, C. Vijaya Kumar, N. Nadarajah, T. Raman, R. Vijayan, M. Kumaaran, N. Harichandran, S. Maran, Suwaran Singh, and Mohammad Atif Khan Mohammad Ali Khan — were charged with being members of the "Geng RT6" organised crime group in the Sentul district between Jan 14, 2020, and April 27, this year.
Recently, the Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) had dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate known as "Geng RT" using the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma).
NCID director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said that the syndicate is believed to have been active in drug processing, distribution, and violent crime around the Klang Valley since 2020.
On the same day, a case of carnal intercourse against the order of nature involving a 17-year-old boy against a 10-year-old boy at a welfare home will come up for mention at the Selayang Sessions Court.
The charge is framed under Section 377C of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of five to 20 years' imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
Additional charges of sexual assault were brought under Sections 14(b), 15(a)(i), and 15(a)(ii) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act.S - NST
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