PUTRAJAYA – Former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad is not planning to cancel his retirement to return to the political arena even though he is a free man after the Court of Appeal acquitted him of his bribery conviction.
He added that he was happy to support Umno and fellow party members when needed.
“I’ve retired from politics, so there are no plans to return. Politics is subjective, you can return to it depending on the situation. If my friends need me, I’ll emerge, if not I’ll remain a loyal Umno supporter,” he told reporters at the courthouse in Putrajaya after the acquittal.
“My (graft) case is not over yet, there may be appeals (against the decision). But at least my family and I can resume our normal life.
“We have been patiently waiting for six years and I’m grateful for today’s decision. I respect the court process and whatever decision they come up with.”
Meanwhile, Isa’s wife Puan Sri Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid said the acquittal was a win for the family after a six-year fight.
“I pray every day for this. My husband is innocent (of the charges) and the family is supportive of him. We know him well and he’s a good man.”
The Court of Appeal overturned Isa’s conviction and sentence this morning, saying there were merits in his appeal.
The ruling was a unanimous decision by the three-person bench led by Datuk Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera. The other panellists were Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim and Datuk S.M. Komathy Suppiah.
The prosecution has said it will file an appeal against the acquittal.
Isa, who is also former Negri Sembilan menteri besar, was found guilty by then high court judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali on February 3, 2021, on nine charges of bribery involving RM3.09 million in Felda’s acquisition of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites in Kuching, Sarawak.
The offence was committed on the 49th floor of Menara Felda, Platinum Park, No. 11 Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, between July 21, 2014 and December 11, 2015.
He filed the notice of appeal on February 4, 2021. He was also released on a RM1.5-million bail pending his appeal. – March 6, 2024