Former Felda chairperson Mohd Isa Abdul Samad was warded in a private hospital in Seremban yesterday due to heart issues.
As a result, the Court of Appeal postponed the hearing of his appeal today to Oct 16, over a conviction for nine graft counts as well as a six-year jail sentence and RM15.45 million fine linked to the purchase of a hotel in Sarawak.
Lead defence counsel Sallehuddin Saidin informed the three-person appellate bench chaired by judge Hadariah Syed Ismail that Isa was unable to attend this morning’s proceedings as he was admitted to the hospital last night over heart problems.
“This morning, we received a medical report from the hospital saying that he is hospitalised,” the lawyer explained to the panel also comprising Court of Appeal judges Azmi Ariffin and Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim.
Sallehuddin said that Isa’s wife, who is the appellant’s bailor, was unable to come today as was not able to walk after having an injection in her knee, adding that the couple’s son was in attendance this morning.
The Court of Appeal then allowed the adjournment application following no objection from deputy public prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz, and set Oct 16 as the new hearing date of the appeal.
“It is hoped that Tan Sri (Isa) would be well on Oct 16,” Hadariah said. Isa was not seen in court today.
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 emphasised 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 (above) 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 relied on six witnesses to testify on behalf of Isa, who was Negeri Sembilan menteri besar for 22 years from 1982 to 2004. - Mkini
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