Isa is a suspect in FIC hotel case, MACC confirms

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has rubbished claims that Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad was only questioned as a witness for the purchase of two hotels by Felda Investment Corp (FIC).
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki (pix), instead confirmed that the former Felda Global Ventures (FGV) chairman is indeed a suspect in the case.
"I think some people might need to do some criminal study. When we arrest and remand a person and the magistrate grants the remand, that shows he's under investigation.
"Of course (he's a suspect). If you are being arrested, you are my suspect. I just want to make it clear that any person arrested is a suspect," he told reporters after attending a corruption-free pledge ceremony between MACC and the Foreign Affairs Ministry, here, today.
Isa's lawyer Datuk K Kumaraendran had, on Sunday, said the former was only called up by MACC to assist in the investigation, and not as a suspect, for the purchase of the Grand Plaza Kensington Hotel in London and the Merdeka Palace Hotel and Suites in Kuching, Sarawak.
Isa, who is now acting Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman, was detained by MACC last Tuesday and released on a RM150,000 bail on Sunday following a five-day remand.
Azam, in urging all quarters to be patient as MACC conducts its investigation, also did not dismiss the possibility that Isa might be hauled up again for questioning.
"Give us some time to complete the investigation. I can't disclose too much about when it will be completed, just be patient.
"There are a lot of possibilities, so we will complete the investigation and later forward it to the deputy public prosecutor for the next course of action," he added.
On a separate matter, Azam has denied that MACC leaked information relating to investigations into Penang exco member Phee Boon Poh, after the former was remanded on Aug 10 to assist in the probe over an illegal carbon-filter factory in Sungai Lembu, Bukit Mertajam.
Phee, who was released last Monday, denied having RM2 million in his personal bank accounts as reported in several newspapers yesterday, questioning where the media gained access on the information from.
"On our part, we never leak any of our investigation information. I don't know where the media got all these from, so I don't want to comment," Azam said.
Azam also refrained to answer when asked if the allegations that RM2 million was in Phee's account were true.