Decision on Isa Samad's corruption appeal fixed for Jan 31

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has fixed Jan 31 to deliver its decision in the appeal by former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad (pic) against his conviction, six-year jail sentence and RM15.45mil fine for corruption.

The date was fixed following a case management on Tuesday (Nov 28) before Court of Appeal senior assistant registrar Huda Humaira Idris.

Counsel for Mohd Isa, Siti Sarah Khalil, and deputy public prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz confirmed the new decision date when contacted.

ALSO READ: Court postpones delivery of verdict in Isa Samad's corruption appeal case

The appellate court’s three-member bench comprising Justices Datuk Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera, Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim and Datuk SM Komathy Suppiah was initially scheduled to deliver its decision on Mohd Isa’s appeal on Tuesday.

However, Siti Sarah said the defence team received a notice from the court informing them that the decision date had been vacated and replaced with case management.

On Oct 14, the bench reserved its decision in the appeal after hearing submissions from both parties.

Mohd Isa, 73, was found guilty by the High Court on Feb 3, 2021 on nine bribery charges amounting to RM3mil in the Felda acquisition of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites in Kuching.

The offences allegedly took place on the 49th Floor of Menara Felda, Platinum Park, No 11 Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur between July 21, 2014 and Dec 11, 2015.

High Court judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali (now a Court of Appeal judge) handed down a sentence of six years for each offence with a cumulative total of 54 years in jail and a fine of RM15.45mil or 18 years' imprisonment in lieu of the fine.

The High Court ordered the sentence to run concurrently, which meant Mohd Isa was to serve only six years.

ALSO READ: Isa Samad sentenced to six years jail, fined RM15.4mil for graft

Mohd Isa, who is also a former Negri Sembilan mentri besar, filed the notice to appeal on Feb 4, 2021.

He was also allowed to be released on bail of RM1.5mil pending disposal of his appeal but was required to report to the nearest police station on the 1st of every month. – Bernama