No money trail to Isa for alleged RM3.09m kickbacks, court told

The investigating officer in Isa Samad's corruption case today said that no money trail to the former Felda chief was found for RM3.09 million in alleged kickbacks received over the purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel from Gegasan Abadi Sdn Bhd.

Mohamad Safari Abdullah said this during cross-examination by Isa's (photo) counsel Salehuddin Saidin, as the 22nd witness in the former Jempol MP's ongoing corruption trial enters the 15th day at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Salehuddin asked Safari whether MACC had found any money trail on the alleged payment by Gegasan Abadi’s former director Ikhwan Zaidel to Isa for approving Felda Investment Corporation's purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel and Suites in Kuching, Sarawak.

The hotel was valued at RM153 million but purchased by FIC in 2014 for RM160 million.

Salehuddin: There was nothing to show that the money had been transferred to any accounts?

Safari: Yes

Salehuddin: There was no money trail for the nine transactions?

Safari: Agreed.

Ikhwan had previously testified that the RM3.09 million in alleged kickbacks to Isa was paid in nine transactions between July 2014 and December 2015.

Safari also agreed with Salehuddin that there was no closed-circuit television recordings or witnesses that can confirm that Isa's former aide, Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, had accepted the cash from Ikhwan.

Salehuddin: There was no CCTV (recordings) that showed him (Zahid) handing over money to Tan Sri Isa?

Safari: Correct

Salehuddin: There were no documents of money transferred?

Safari: Yes

Salehuddin: There was no confirmation from PW21 (Zahid) on how much money was handed over?

Safari: Yes

Safari also confirmed that the alleged kickbacks received was never found during the course of his investigations in 2017.

Salehuddin: In fact, the money handed over to Isa was not found? Was any money found during the investigation?

Safari: My investigations was in 2017, (and the) money (involved was) from 2014 to 2016. I believe there was no more money left (by 2017).

Isa, 70, is facing one charge of CBT and nine counts of corruption in the alleged receipt of more than RM3 million at Menara Felda, Persiaran KLCC, between April 29, 2014, and Dec 11, 2015.

The CBT charge provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction, while the corruption charges allow for a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of at least five times the bribe amount upon conviction.

The hearing before High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali continues.

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