KUALA LUMPUR – Whether former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad will be acquitted or convicted on nine corruption charges involving RM3 million over the purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites (MPHS) in Kuching, Sarawak, will be known on February 3.
High court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali set the date after hearing submission from both parties at the end of the defence case today.
In thanking both the parties for their submission, Nazlan said he would give his decision on the matter at 9.30am on February 3.
Deputy public prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz prosecuted in the case, while the defence team was led by lawyer Datuk Salehuddin Saidin.
Hearing of the case began on October 8 last year with the prosecution calling 22 witnesses to testify, including former Felda director-general Datuk Hanapi Suhada.
Also called to testify were former chief executive officer of Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FICSB) Mohd Zaid Abdul Jalil and former Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd (GAPSB) board member Ikhwan Zaidel.
On September 3, the defence closed its case after calling six witnesses to testify, with Isa called as the first witness.
Other witnesses called to testify include Isa’s former secretary Zuraida Ariffin and former special officer Kamar Bashah Shariff.
Isa is charged with nine counts of dishonestly receiving gratification for himself in cash totalling RM3,090,000 from Ikhwan through one Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, 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 here between July 21, 2014, and December 11, 2015.
On June 16, the high court ordered Isa, who is also the former Negri Sembilan menteri besar, to enter his defence on the nine charges after finding that the prosecution had succeeded in creating a prima facie case against him.
However, the court released and acquitted on a charge of criminal breach of trust (CBT) in connection with the purchase of the hotel after finding that the prosecution having failed to prove a prima facie in the case. – Bernama, December 24, 2020
