Tears in Court as Ex-UMNO Leader & Minister Isa Samad Sentenced to 6 Years Jail Over RM3 Million Bribe

Former Federal Territories Minister and UMNO leader Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad has been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, effective today (Feb 10), after the Federal Court found him guilty of corruption.

The case involves bribes totalling RM3.09 million related to the purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites (MPHS) in Kuching, Sarawak, 12 years ago. The amount was reportedly a “token of gratitude” for his role in approving the RM160 million hotel acquisition by Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FICSB).

Isa found guilty of nine counts of receiving bribes

Isa, 77, who also served as the former chairman of FELDA, is set to spend the upcoming months of Ramadan and Syawal behind bars. According to reports by Sinar Harian and Malaysia Gazette, family members were seen in tears immediately after the verdict was announced.

They were reportedly unable to hug Isa before he was transported to Sungai Buloh Prison.

A three-judge panel, chaired by Datuk Nordin Hassan, reinstated the conviction and sentence originally handed down by the High Court on 3 February 2021. In doing so, the panel set aside the Court of Appeal’s 6 March 2024 decision, which had previously acquitted him.

“We find the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision to be correct and safe. There is no reason for us to disturb the conviction of the respondent for all the offences in question, and this court confirms that decision,” Datuk Nordin stated.

The charges were brought under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. Under Section 24(1) of the same Act, the offence carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a fine of no less than five times the bribe amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

In addition to the jail term, Isa was fined RM15.45 million. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional 18 years of imprisonment.

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