Post by : Shakul

Malaysia’s Federal Court has adjourned the hearing involving former Federal Land Development Authority chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, who is seeking a review of an earlier ruling that reinstated his corruption conviction, prison sentence, and heavy financial penalty. The court’s decision came after the defence requested access to official court recordings and transcripts related to earlier proceedings held in February this year.

The three-member Federal Court bench was chaired by Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Seri Hashim Hamzah. The panel agreed to allow the defence team to obtain the court recordings and transcription documents from the previous hearings held on February 5 and February 10. Justice Hashim stated that the court decided to permit access to the documents in the interest of justice because there was disagreement between both parties regarding what had occurred during the earlier proceedings.

During the hearing, defence lawyer M.M. Athimulan argued that the court recordings were important to determine whether the previous Federal Court panel had invited the defence to present further arguments regarding mitigation and defence matters after Isa Samad was found guilty. The prosecution claimed that such an opportunity had been given earlier but that the defence chose not to make submissions. The defence, however, disputed this claim and requested access to the official records for clarification.

The court fixed tomorrow for case management while both parties review the transcripts and prepare for the next stage of proceedings. Also sitting on the Federal Court bench were Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Azizah Nawawi and Federal Court judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah. The prosecution was represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz, assisted by Mohamad Arif Aizuddin Masrom.

Isa Samad, who is 76 years old, is currently serving a six-year prison sentence after the Federal Court earlier this year allowed the prosecution’s appeal and reinstated his corruption conviction. The ruling also restored a RM15.45 million fine imposed against him. The former Felda chairman had previously been acquitted by the Court of Appeal in March 2024 before the Federal Court overturned that decision.

The corruption case is linked to Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd’s purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel and Suites in Kuching, Sarawak, for RM160 million. Isa Samad was accused of receiving more than RM3 million in bribes through his former special officer in return for approving the hotel acquisition deal. The High Court had originally found him guilty on all nine corruption charges in February 2021.

The case remains one of Malaysia’s high-profile corruption proceedings involving a former senior political leader. Isa Samad’s legal team has now filed an application under Rule 137 of the Federal Court Rules 1995, claiming there was a breach of natural justice during the previous Federal Court proceedings. The outcome of the review application is expected to receive significant public attention as the legal process continues in Malaysia’s highest court.

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