Isa’s office at SPAD searched for evidence
KUALA LUMPUR: Held under remand, Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad was brought to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) headquarters for an inspection of his office.
The acting SPAD chairman was accompanied by nearly a dozen Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC) officers as they sifted through documents on the premises.
The raid was in relation to an ongoing probe over suspicion of power abuse and corruption involving Felda Investment Corporation (FIC).
A source said Mohd Isa, the former Felda chairman, arrived at the SPAD office at 11am yesterday. Clad in a dark jacket and long pants, he appeared calm and relaxed.
The raiding team spent about 90 minutes in his office at the Platinum Sentral building looking for more evidence.
“They left at about 12.30pm in three unmarked cars,” said the source.
MACC chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad, who confirmed the raid, said it was a routine part of the investigation.
“When we arrest someone, we will conduct checks at the person’s home and office,” he said after witnessing the signing of an anti-corruption pledge by senior management and vendors of the International Islamic University of Malaysia here.
Dzulkifli said Mohd Isa was being remanded and investigated over FIC’s purchases of hotels.
On allegations by the Opposition that the arrest was merely play-acting on the MACC’s part to divert public anger, Dzulkifli said: “They can say what they want. The people are all watching us closely, so how can we be acting?”
Asked whether there was a bid to freeze or seize assets, Dzulkifli said: “If there is a need to take further action, we will do so.”
So far, anti-graft officers have visited Mohd Isa’s houses in Selangor, Nilai, Linggi and Seremban as part of the probe.
It was reported that cash amounting to RM100,000 was seized from a safe in one of the houses.
In June, Mohd Isa and his wife Puan Sri Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid were called in to assist in the probe into Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV).
The MACC started investigating FGV following claims of improprieties and abuse of power that were brought to its attention following a management crisis.