Isa’s RM3m graft case transferred to High Court
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) chairman Tan Sri Isa Abdul Samad’s corruption and criminal breach of trust (CBT) case involving RM3 million will be heard in the High Court here.
High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan made the decision after allowing the defence’s application on Feb 26 for the transfer of the case from the Sessions Court.
However, the court did not fix a case management date, as the case will first be heard before Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi to inform her about the transfer of the case.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Umar Saifuddin Jaafar prosecuted, while Isa was represented by counsel Datuk K. Ku- maraendran.
On Dec 14 last year, Isa pleaded not guilty to the CBT charge and nine counts of corruption involving more than RM3 million in connection with a hotel purchase by the Felda Investment Corp Sdn Bhd (FIC) in Kuching, Sarawak.
On the CBT charge, Isa, who as director of FIC, was trusted with the company’s funds, was accused of committing CBT by approving a proposal for the purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites in Kuching for RM160 million without the approval of Felda’s board of directors.
The charge was framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years, caning and a fine, if found guilty.
As for the corruption charges, Isa was charged with dishonestly receiving cash worth RM3,090,000 from Ikhwan Zaidel, a board member of Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd, through one Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, as gratification for helping to approve the purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites in Kuching.