Isa Samad settles bail payment, files notice of appeal

Former Felda chairman Isa Samad, who was convicted of nine corruption charges involving RM3 million yesterday in connection with the agency’s purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites (MPHS) in Kuching, Sarawak, settled the additional bail payment of RM700,000 today as ordered by the High Court.

Isa, 71, arrived at the court house at 10.36am with his wife, Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid, who is his guarantor, and left at 1.52pm after making the payment at the Criminal Registration counter of the High Court.

Yesterday, the former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar was ordered to pay an additional bail of RM700,000 after the court allowed the defence’s application for a stay of the sentences against him pending his appeal at the Court of Appeal.

He was also ordered to report himself at the nearest police station on the first of every month pending disposal of the appeal.

Yesterday, High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali sentenced Isa to a total of 54 years in prison and a fine of RM15.45 million, in default 18 years’ jail, after finding him guilty of nine counts of corruption.

He was sentenced to six years’ jail for each count. However, he will only need to serve six years in prison as the judge ordered that the sentences be served concurrently.

Meanwhile, Isa has also filed a notice of appeal against his conviction and sentences.

His lawyer, Siti Sarah Khalil, confirmed the matter when met at the court lobby. She said the notice of appeal was filed at the High Court at 11am today.