Isa Samad's corruption appeal hearing set next March

 

The Court of Appeal has fixed March 7 next year to hear former Felda chairperson Mohd Isa Abdul Samad’s appeal to quash his conviction and sentencing in the corruption case linked to the purchase of a hotel in Sarawak.

The appeal court’s registry set the hearing date during online case management this morning for Isa’s bid to set aside his guilty verdict over nine graft counts as well as six years’ jail and an RM15.45 million fine.

Deputy public prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz, who represented the prosecution who is the respondent in the matter, confirmed the 2023 hearing date when contacted.

“Further case management before the hearing is on Feb 21, 2023. Parties (were directed by the Court of Appeal) to file their written submissions by Feb 14, 2023,” the prosecutor said.

The corruption case was linked to the purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites (MPHS) by Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FICSB).

On Feb 3, 2021, then High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali ruled that the defence failed to raise reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case against Isa.

In passing the sentence, the judge said that while the accused has a long-standing contribution to society, it must be emphasized that corruption is serious as it threatens economic growth as well as the sovereignty of the country's law and denies the people from receiving efficient service.

Nazlan ordered Isa to serve an additional 18 years in jail in default of payment of the total fine.

However, the judge allowed the defence's application for a stay of execution on the jail and fine, pending the disposal of the accused's appeal to the Court of Appeal.

Judge Nazlan was elevated to the Court of Appeal In February this year.

Inducement for hotel purchase

Isa is currently out on bail of RM1.5 million and was ordered by the lower court to report to the police station nearest to his house on the first day of every month until the disposal of the appeal.

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 one Muhammad Zahid Md Arip.

The money was purportedly gratification for helping to approve the purchase of the hotel by FICSB for RM160 million.

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

The nine charges, framed under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009, are punishable under Section 24(1) of the same law.

Initially charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, his case was later transferred to the High Court.

During the criminal trial that began on Oct 8, 2019, the prosecution called 15 people to testify against the accused.

The defence team led by Sallehuddin Saidin relied on six witnesses to testify on behalf of Isa, who was Negeri Sembilan menteri besar for 22 years from 1982 to 2004. - Mkini