Isa denies receiving RM3m from special officer

Former Felda chairperson Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, in his defence in the Kuala Lumpur High Court today, denied receiving RM3 million in nine transactions from his then special political officer Muhammad Zahid Md Arip over the purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites (MPHS) in Sarawak in 2014.

Isa said he never discussed or asked Zahid about the purchase.

“I never instructed Zahid to ask Haji Ikhwan (Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd board member Ikhwan Zaidel) to reward me for helping to approve the purchase of MPHS.

“I also never sent any greetings to Haji Ikhwan because he had nothing to do with me and I did not know him personally," Isa said when reading out his statement on the first day of his defence trial involving nine corruption charges before judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.

He told the court that Zahid only brought documents whenever he went to his (Isa's) office and never a bag.

“As a politician, I am a careful person and is unlikely to receive money, let alone of such large amount at Menara Felda where people, especially my staff, can see it.

“When I moved, I was always accompanied by my bodyguard and driver, so if I did receive money in such large quantity, it would be impossible for me to carry it myself, nor would I allow my bodyguard to carry so much money," he added.

Isa also said he neither helped nor gave approval for the purchase of MPHS as he did not have the power to do so.

“I have clearly stated that I did not have the authority to approve the purchase of the MPHS, so why did I suddenly ask for money?

“I have never promised anything to Haji Ikhwan and he also had never promised me any gratification. I was not involved at all or know anything about the discussion that took place between Haji Ikhwan and Zahid,” he added.

Isa also told the court he did not understand how the word “salam” cropped up when he never sent any greetings to Ikhwan.

Prior to this, Zahid, who is the 16th prosecution witness, told the court that every time Isa would send his “salam” to Ikhwan, it would mean that Isa needed money.

Questioned by his lawyer Salehuddin Saidin during examination-in-chief, when he terminated Zahid’s service, Isa said it was in early 2017 because he was showing support for Pakatan Harapan.

Isa was appointed Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FICSB) chairperson on July 2, 2013, when FICSB was first established by Felda and was also a member of the board of FICSB, but he resigned on Jan 25, 2017, after four years in both positions.

He is facing nine counts of dishonestly receiving gratification for himself in cash totalling RM3,090,000 from Ikhwan through Zahid as gratification for helping to approve the purchase of the hotel by FICSB for RM160 million.

All the offences were allegedly committed at Level 49, Menara Felda, Platinum Park, No. 11, Persiaran KLCC between July 21, 2014, and Dec 11, 2015.

Each charge, framed under Section 16a(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same law, provides a jail term of not exceeding 20 years and a fine of at least five times the bribe amount, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz prosecuted.

- Bernama