The Kuala Lumpur High Court was told today a former special political officer to Mohd Isa Abdul Samad was given RM2 million as a token of gratitude for being the link in the sale and purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites in Kuching, Sarawak.
Muhammad Zahid Md Arip
A retired army personnel, Mohamad Jani Ismail, 58, said he knew about it from Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, himself, who confessed it when they met before a meeting with Japanese investors at a hotel in Putrajaya on June 8, 2018.
“While we were smoking, I said to Zahid he must be rich, having been appointed the prime minister’s political secretary (Zahid was political secretary to then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad).
“He (Zahid) responded, saying he had some from being the link in the sale and purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel in Sarawak, where he was given RM2 million as a token of gratitude,” said Jani when reading out his witness statement at the defence stage of Isa’s corruption trial.
“However, Zahid told me Isa did not know about the RM2 million gift,” Jani, the fourth defence witness, added.
When cross-examined by deputy public prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz whether he told Isa about it, he said he did.
Mohd Isa Abdul Samad
Afzainizam: At that time, was Isa charged in court yet?
Jani: I don’t know.
Jani, who is a former boxing coach, said when he told Isa about it, the former Felda chairman did not ask him to report the matter to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Afzainizam: I put it to you the confession on receiving RM2 million was never made by Zahid.
Jani: Not right.
Afzainizam: The confession is important, it should have been reported to MACC.
Jani: I disagree.
He also disagreed that Zahid’s confession was made to save Isa.
Afzainizam: Did you make it up with an intention to put Zahid in bad light?
Jani: I disagree.
When re-examined by Isa’s lawyer, Salehuddin Saidin on why he did not lodge a police report, Jani said he regarded the money given to Zahid as a token of thanks for being a link in the sale and purchase deal, and also because the latter admitted receiving it.
Jani said he did not know if that could be regarded as corruption.