Former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad will serve a six-year prison term after the Federal Court reinstated his RM3.09 million corruption conviction.
PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has reinstated the corruption conviction and six-year prison sentence of former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad. A three-member bench led by Justice Nordin Hassan allowed the prosecution’s appeal, overturning Mohd Isa’s earlier acquittal on nine corruption charges.
“The decision of the High Court in convicting the respondent (Mohd Isa) on all nine charges is hereby restored,” said Justice Nordin. He stated the sentence imposed by the High Court was appropriate and in accordance with the law.
The court issued a warrant of committal for the 76-year-old to begin serving his sentence immediately. The bench restored the High Court’s 2021 decision, which also included a RM15.45 million fine with an additional two-year jail term in default of payment.
Mohd Isa was found to have received RM3.09 million in bribes related to a property purchase. The bribe was given as an inducement to approve Felda Investment Corporation’s RM160 million purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites in Kuching.
Justice Nordin emphasised the gravity of the offence during the proceedings. “We need to reiterate that corruption is a heinous act that would destroy a nation,” he said.
The funds were received from Ikhwan Zaidel, then a director of Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd. The money was channelled through Mohd Isa’s former special officer, Muhammad Zahid Md Arip.