PUTRAJAYA - Former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad is to serve a six-year prison sentence after the Federal Court reinstated his corruption conviction involving RM3.09 million.
A three-member bench, led by Justice Nordin Hassan, allowed the prosecution's appeal, overturning Mohd Isa's 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, who sat with Justices Datuk Lee Swee Seng and Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali.
He added that the sentence imposed by the High Court was appropriate and in accordance with the law. "We need to reiterate that corruption is a heinous act that would destroy a nation," he said.
The court issued a warrant of committal for Mohd Isa, 76, to begin serving his sentence from today. The bench restored the High Court's Feb 3, 2021, decision, which sentenced him to six years' imprisonment and a fine of RM15.45 million in default two-year imprisonment.
The former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar was found to have received RM3.09 million in bribes from Ikhwan Zaidel, then director of Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd, through his former special officer, Muhammad Zahid Md Arip.
The bribe was given as an inducement to approve Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd's purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites in Kuching, Sarawak, for RM160 million. - BERNAMA