Graft Trials Of Isa Samad Tengku Adnan Pushed To April

---

Former Felda chairman Isa Samad and ex-minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.KUALA LUMPUR: The corruption trials of former Felda chairman Isa Samad and ex-minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, earlier fixed to continue this week, have been pushed to next month due to the Covid-19 outbreak
Lead counsel Salehudin Saidin, who is appearing for Isa, said a court official had notified him that oral submissions are now fixed on April 8
“As instructed, we filed our written submissions on Feb 28. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the oral submissions will be on April 8,” he said
The oral submissions before High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali were initially slated for today
The prosecution closed its case on Jan 14 after calling in 15 witnesses
Isa, 71, is charged with one count of criminal breach of trust (CBT) and nine counts of receiving bribes of more than RM3 million in connection with the purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites in Kuching, Sarawak, by Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FICSB)
Meanwhile, Tengku Adnan’s RM2 million corruption trial which is at the defence stage had been fixed on April 1
“However, the court has informed parties that they can make an application to ask for adjournment if the need arises,” deputy public prosecutor Julia Ibrahim said
Tengku Adnan’s case is being heard before High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan
He is accused of receiving money from businessman Chai Kin Kong, who was Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd’s director, despite knowing that Chai’s companies had dealings with the federal territories ministry which was under him at the time
Tengku Adnan also faces another corruption charge amounting to RM1 million but that trial has been postponed indefinitely
Tengku Adnan, the Putrajaya MP, was charged with receiving money from businessman Tan Eng Boon to approve an application by Nucleus Properties Sdn Bhd (now known as Paragon City Development Sdn Bhd) to increase the industrial plot ratio of a piece of land in Kuala Lumpur
Julia said the prosecution had filed an appeal in the Federal Court following a Court of Appeal ruling that Nazlan must be disqualified from presiding over the case. - FMT

---