DPP: Isa got paid every time FIC paid the seller

ISA SAMAD TRIAL | Prosecutors said they will prove that Umno politician Mohd Isa Samad was paid kickbacks on Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd's (FIC) four transactions for the acquisition of a luxury hotel in Kuching.

In all, Isa stands accused of accepting RM3,090,000 in kickbacks from Ikhwan Zaidel, the director of Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd, the previous owner of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites.

Prosecutors said they will also prove to the court that as the director of FIC at the time, Isa had approved the acquisition of the hotel at RM160 million, despite a valuation of RM153 million by FIC's external consultant.

"The accused instructed (FIC) CEO Mohd Zaid Abdul Jalil to acquire the (hotel) at RM160 million and not (suggest that the board pursues) a discount of RM10 million.

"(The accused) said acquiring (the hotel) at RM160 million was justified as 'goodwill'," said DPP Afzainizam Abdul Aziz.

The FIC, the prosecution said, made four payments to Gegasan Abadi - three in 2014 and once in 2015. Following each payment, the kickbacks would be transferred Isa's then-assistant, Muhammad Zahid Md Arip.

Zahid is now the political secretary to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Isa is facing trial for criminal breach of trust and nine counts of corruptly receiving gratification. For each offence, he can be jailed for up to 20 years.

For the bribery charge, he risks being fined at least than five times the bribe amount.

Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali is hearing the case. - Mkini