Isa claims trial to CBT and bribery

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad has claimed trial to criminal breach of trust (CBT) and nine counts of bribery involving more than RM3mil over the purchase of a hotel in Kuching.

Mohd Isa pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court after the charges were read out to him before judge Azura Alwi here yesterday.

Isa allegedly approved the purchase of Merdeka Palace & Suites Hotel for RM160mil without the approval from Felda’s board of directors on April 29, 2014.

Isa faces jail time of between two and 20 years, whipping and a possible fine, if convicted. The nine other charges involved receiving bribes totalling RM3.09mil.

These charges under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act also implicated Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, who is the Prime Minister’s political secretary.

The bribes were from Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd director Ikhwan Zaidel and received through Muhammad Zahid, as gratification for helping approve the hotel’s purchase for RM160mil.

The offences were allegedly committed at Menara Felda, Platinum Park, No. 11, Persiaran KLCC near here between July 21, 2014, and Dec 11, 2015.

Muhammad Zahid was appointed as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s political secretary on May 30.

He was Isa’s former special officer and was arrested by MACC in August last year over the hotel deal and remanded for eight days.

If convicted, Isa faces jail of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe for each charge.

Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Umar Saifuddin Jaafar offered bail at RM2mil in one surety.

Lawyer Datuk K. Kumaraendran, who is representing Isa, asked for bail to be set at RM500,000.

He also said the proposed bail was excessive and punitive to his client.

Azura set bail at RM800,000 in one surety. She also ordered Isa to surrender his passport to the court.

Kumaraendran, however, asked for the bail amount to be split into two.

“If possible, we ask for the court to allow our client to pay RM400,000 today and RM400,000 on Monday,” he said.

Azura denied the request. “Bail must be paid today,” she said.

The case is set for mention on Jan 25. Isa paid the bail.