The defence in the trial of former Felda chairperson Mohd Isa Samad, who is facing nine corruption charges amounting to RM3 million in connection with the purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites (MPHS) by Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FICSB), closed its case today after calling six witnesses.
Isa’s counsel, Salehuddin Saidin, told Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali that the defence was closing its case after its last witness, Dr Mohd Zaqrul Razmal Mohd Podzi, 43, concluded giving his evidence.
Zaqrul said he had met Isa’s former special political officer Muhammad Zahid Md Arip to discuss the purchase of fuel by Felda.
Nazlan set Nov 4 to hear submissions from both parties before deciding whether to convict or acquit Isa from the corruption charges.
He also ordered the prosecution and the defence to file their written submissions by Oct 2 and the reply before Oct 16.
On June 19, the judge ordered Isa to enter his defence on nine corruption charges after finding the prosecution had successfully adduced credible evidence proving every essential ingredient of the offence of accepting gratification under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act.
Isa, 71, opted to testify under oath from the witness box, where he was subject to cross-examination by the prosecution.
On Aug 17, in his defence, he denied receiving RM3 million, in nine transactions, from Muhammad Zahid, over the purchase of MPHS and also said he never discussed or asked Muhammad Zahid about the purchase.
The defence case took three days, on Aug 17, 19, and today.
Isa was charged with nine counts of dishonestly receiving gratification for himself, in cash totalling RM3,090,000 from Ikhwan Zaidel, who is a board member of Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd, through Muhammad 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 near in Kuala Lumpur between July 21, 2014, and Dec 11, 2015.
Each charge, which is framed under Section 16a(A) of the MACC Act 2009, and 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.
- Bernama
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