KUALA LUMPUR: Whether former Felda chairman Mohd Isa Samad will be acquitted or convicted on nine corruption charges, involving RM3 million, over the purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites (MPHS) in Kuching, Sarawak, will be known on Feb 3.
High Court Judge Mohd Nazlan Ghazali set the date after hearing submissions from both parties at the end of the defence case today.
Nazlan said he would give his decision on the matter at 9.30am on Feb 3.
Deputy public prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz prosecuted, while the defence was led by Salehuddin Saidin.
Hearing of the case began on Oct 8 last year with the prosecution calling 22 witnesses, including former Felda director-general Hanapi Suhada.
Also called to testify were former CEO of Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FIC), Mohd Zaid Abdul Jalil and former board member of Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd (GAP), Ikhwan Zaidel.
On Sept 3, the defence closed its case after calling six witnesses with Isa being the first witness.
Other witnesses called included Isa’s former secretary Zuraida Ariffin @ Shaari and former special officer, Kamar Bashah Shariff.
Isa was charged with nine counts of dishonestly receiving gratification for himself, in cash, totalling RM3,090,000 from Ikhwan, through one Muhammad Zahid Arip, as gratification for helping to approve the purchase of the hotel by FIC for RM160 million.
All the offences were allegedly committed at Level 49, Menara Felda, Platinum Park, No. 11, Persiaran KLCC near here between July 21, 2014, and Dec 11, 2015.
All the charges were framed under Section 16a(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same law, which provides a jail term of not exceeding 20 years and a fine of at least five times the bribe amount, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
On June 16, the High Court ordered Isa, who is also the former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar, to enter his defence on the nine charges after finding that the prosecution had succeeded in creating a prima facie case against him.
However, the court released and acquitted him on a charge of criminal breach of trust (CBT) in connection with the purchase of the hotel after finding that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case.