Federal Court fixes June 26 to hear Isa Samad’s conviction‑review application

“PUTRAJAYA, May 22 — The Federal Court has fixed June 26 to hear former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad’s application seeking leave to review an earlier decision reinstating his corruption conviction, six-year prison sentence and RM15.45 million fine. Deputy Public Prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz, representing the prosecution, and one of Mohd Isa’s lawyers, Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, confirmed the hearing date when contacted by Bernama. On May 13, a three-member Federal Court bench led by Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Seri Hashim Hamzah adjourned the hearing after allowing the defence’s request to inspect the court recordings and transcripts (CRT) of proceedings held on February 5 and 10 this year in relation to Mohd Isa’s appeal. Mohd Isa’s lawyers sought the CRT to determine whether the earlier Federal Court panel had invited the defence to submit arguments on the merits of the case and mitigation after Mohd Isa was found guilty. Mohd Isa, 76, is currently serving his six-year prison sentence after the Federal Court on February 10 this year allowed the prosecution’s appeal, overturning his acquittal and reinstating his conviction, jail sentence and fine. On February 3, 2021, the High Court found him guilty and sentenced him to six years’ imprisonment and a RM15.45 million fine, with an additional two years’ jail in default of payment. However, the Court of Appeal on March 6, 2024 acquitted him of all nine corruption charges involving RM3 million linked to Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd’s (FICSB) purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites (MPHS) in Kuching, Sarawak. The former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar was accused of receiving RM3.09 million in bribes from Ikhwan Zaidel, then a director of Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd (GAPSB), through his former special officer Muhammad Zahid Md Arip. The bribes were allegedly an inducement for approving FICSB’s purchase of the MPHS in Kuching for RM160 million. Mohd Isa subsequently filed the application under Rule 137 of the Federal Court Rules 1995 seeking leave for a review on grounds of a breach of natural justice. — Bernama

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