This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on April 3, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad’s criminal breach of trust (CBT) and corruption case concerning the purchase of a Kuching hotel has been transferred from the Sessions Court to the High Court.

Earlier, Mohd Isa’s counsel, Datuk K Kumaraendran, told the court that it is better that the matter be heard at the High Court, as there are issues with the charge made by the prosecution against Mohd Isa but not the purported intermediary who allegedly received the bribe payment.

Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Umar Saifuddin Jaafar, appearing with DPP Allan Suman, said he had no objection to the transfer.

Justice Mohd Zaini Mazlan allowed the transfer of the case to the High Court from the Sessions Court. The defence and prosecution will inform the Sessions Court of the transfer tomorrow.

Mohd Isa, also formerly Negeri Sembilan menteri besar and Umno vice president, is facing a CBT charge and nine graft charges involving RM3.09 million.

He claimed trial on Dec 14 to CBT and graft charges in connection with the purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites in Kuching, by Felda Investment Corp Sdn Bhd (FIC Sdn Bhd).

On the first charge, Mohd Isa is alleged to have approved the hotel purchase for RM160 million without Felda’s board of directors’ nod. He is charged with committing the offence at Menara Felda near here on April 29, 2014.

The charge is framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code, carrying a maximum jail term of 20 years, whipping and fine.

For the corruption charges, he was charged with dishonestly receiving cash as gratification for himself, totalling RM3.09 million, from Ikhwan Zaidel, a board member of Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd, through one Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, for helping to approve the hotel’s purchase by FIC Sdn Bhd, for RM160 million.

All the offences were allegedly committed at Menara Felda near here between July 21, 2014 and Dec 11, 2015.

The charges are made under Section 16a(A) of the MACC Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same law, carrying a jail term not exceeding 20 years and a fine of at least five times the bribe amount, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.