Isa Samad and wife were summoned by MACC to have their statements recorded today.
Sixty witnesses have given their statements to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in its investigation into alleged corruption and abuse of power in Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV).
Former FGV chairman Isa Samad and his wife, Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid, have been called up to give statements to the MACC at 10 am today.
According to MACC chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad, the agency was trying to complete its investigation as soon as possible so that the investigation papers could be submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action.
He said the investigation, however, was not bound by any arrangement made by the government or FGV in restructuring the company.
He added that the investigation will follow the evidence because the agency is not only investigating FGV subsidiary Delima Oil Products but also six other issues.
On Monday, Prime Minister Najib Razak announced Isa’s appointment as acting chairman of SPAD after he relinquished his position as FGV chairman.
The move stunned many Malaysians who felt that Isa had made a mess in FGV, and earlier in Felda, and yet he was rewarded with such an important position in SPAD.
Sulaiman Mahbob was appointed as acting FGV chairman.
The FGV crisis drew attention when Isa and its Board of Directors directed FGV Group President and CEO Zakaria Arshad and three senior management executives of FGV to go on an indefinite leave of absence beginning Jun 6.
Following this, there was a public fallout between Zakaria and Isa, with Zakaria claiming he had done no wrong. He also handed over some documents to the MACC, urging it to probe FGV’s dealings.
The three suspended senior executives were FGV Group CFO, Ahmad Tifli Mohd Talha, Senior General Manager of Delima Oil Products Sdn Bhd, Kamarzaman Karim and CEO of FGV Trading, Ahmad Salman Omar.The government had appointed former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Idris Jala as the independent party to tackle the crisis.
Meanwhile, Zakaria said he would abide by the recommendations of the report on the FGV by Idris.
He said: “With regards to the domestic inquiry which was initiated by Mohd Isa, I am confident I shall be proven innocent and henceforth, I have engaged Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah to be my legal counsel to attend to the matter.”
Idris’ report had stated that there were adequate grounds for the FGV board to start disciplinary proceedings against Zakaria and the three other officials in relation to an alleged breach of procedures regarding Delima Oil Products Sdn Bhd.