Former FIC CEO denies implicating Isa Samad

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 17): Felda Investment Corp Sdn Bhd (FIC) ex-chief executive officer (CEO) Mohd Zaid Abdul Jalil (pictured) denied at the High Court here today that he had during his remand in August 2017, implicated former Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad over criminal breach of trust and graft charges.

The criminal breach of trust and corruption charges involve the FIC's purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites in Kuching, Sarawak for RM160 million from Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd.

Mohd Zaid, who was remanded by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) then, also denied today that the MACC forced him to implicate Mohd Isa, while under the commission's custody.

Testifying today during cross-examination by Mohd Isa's lawyer Datuk Salehuddin Saidin, Mohd Zaid said the MACC remanded him over FIC's purchase of the Park City Grand Plaza Kensington hotel in London and another hotel in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan.

After Mohd Zaid was remanded for seven days, the MACC had subsequently remanded Mohd Isa, Salehuddin said.

Mohd Zaid, who is the 15th prosecution witness in Mohd's Isa's trial, seemed uncomfortable when Salehuddin asked questions regarding his remand.

When Salehuddin began questioning the witness, Mohd Zaid asked the lawyer: “Why you asked, do you want to be my lawyer?”

This resulted in an argument when Salehuddin said the witness should answer his questions, instead of querying the lawyer.

As a result, High Court Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali told Mohd Zaid to answer Salehuddin's questions.

Salehuddin and Mohd Zaid's argument continued as the lawyer asked the witness on his role as FIC CEO. Salehuddin also queried Mohd Zaid on FIC's board of directors and over the requirement for FIC to seek approval from the Felda board on investments above RM100 million.

The witness said that while under remand, the MACC asked him on the purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites in Kuching, Sarawak by FIC.

“I was only asked but the MACC did not record any statement from me then (on the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites purchase) while in remand," Mohd Zaid said.

Salehuddin: Did the MACC give you a promise that you would assist them in this testimony in this case and that you would not be brought (charged) in court?

Mohd Zaid: I do not agree.

Salehuddin: A few days after you were remanded, Isa was then remanded?

Mohd Zaid: Yes.

Salehuddin: It was from your information that implicated Isa, (which) had resulted in my client being remanded?

Mohd Zaid: I do not agree.

Salehuddin: It was you who insisted that Isa be implicated, with the promise you are not implicated?

Mohd Zaid: I do not agree.

Salehuddin: If you do not cooperate with the MACC, you would be charged?

Mohd Zaid: I do not agree.

The witness agreed with Salehuddin that the MACC was with the deputy public prosecutor when the witness statement was prepared.

Mohd Zaid, however, disagreed with Salehuddin's suggestion that the oral answers he gave to additional questions by the prosecution that were not in the witness statements, followed Mohd Zaid's discussions with the MACC.

The witness also disagreed with the lawyer when told that the Felda legal representative had testified in court earlier saying Felda board approval involving investments in excess of RM100 million was only implemented after the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites purchase.

The hearing continues tomorrow.

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