Tears filled the courtroom on February 10, 2026, as the Federal Court sentenced former UMNO leader and ex-Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad to six years in prison after finding him guilty of corruption involving RM3.09 million in bribes linked to a high-profile hotel acquisition.
The 77-year-old, who previously served as chairman of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda), was convicted on nine charges of receiving gratification connected to the purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel and Suites in Kuching, Sarawak. The transactions date back to 2014 and were associated with the RM160 million acquisition of the hotel by Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd. The payments were described in court as rewards given for Isa’s role in approving the deal.
The ruling was delivered by a three-judge panel led by Datuk Nordin Hassan, which unanimously restored the conviction and sentence imposed by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on February 3, 2021. In its decision, the Federal Court overturned the Court of Appeal’s ruling dated March 6, 2024, which had earlier acquitted Isa. The panel concluded that the High Court’s findings were sound and supported by evidence, leaving no basis to interfere with the original judgment.
Immediately after the verdict was announced, Isa’s family members were seen in visible distress, with reports indicating that they were unable to embrace him before prison officers escorted him away. Isa is expected to serve the early months of Ramadan and the Syawal period behind bars at Sungai Buloh Prison.
Apart from the custodial sentence, the court also imposed a fine of RM15.45 million on Isa. Failure to settle the fine would result in an additional 18 years of imprisonment, significantly extending his time in custody. The offences were prosecuted under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which criminalises the acceptance of gratification in exchange for official acts. Under Section 24(1) of the same Act, the charges carry penalties of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and fines amounting to at least five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
The decision marks a major development in one of Malaysia’s long-running corruption cases involving senior political figures, reinforcing the judiciary’s stance on accountability and the consequences of abusing public office for personal gain.
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