The Malaysian Insight

ISA Samad broke his silence over his new job today, saying he was only following Prime Minister Najib Razak’s instructions to be the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) acting chairman. 

The former Felda Global Ventures Bhd chairman said this after giving his statement to the MACC which is investigating allegations of corruption and power abuse in FGV.

“I only went to SPAD because PM (Najib) asked me to,” said Isa who stepped down as FGV chairman two days ago, hours after meeting Najib.

On the same day he was appointed SPAD acting chairman, taking over from chairman Syed Hamid Albar who retired on June 6.

Regarding his statement to MACC today, Isa said he answered all the questions asked, including those related to deals with Afghan company Safitex with FGV subsidiary Delima Oil.

He refused to give details on the questions.

Asked if MACC inquired about the top official’s wife who had travelled abroad on first class using FGV money and also the allegation that he had used FGV money to organise functions and handouts, Isa just said he had answered everything and it was up to MACC to reveal the details.

Isa was there with his wife Bibi Shaliza Mohd Khalid and spent more than four hours giving his statement.

He said he is leaving it to the MACC to decide if he was in the wrong following the allegation of corruption and abuse of power against him.

“Whether I’m wrong or not I do not know. I can’t say because I do not want to jump the gun. It is up to MACC to make the decision,” he said.

Isa said Bibi was called up as her name was mentioned in the probe and it was normal for individuals to be called up for questioning.

MACC previously recorded statements from FGV board members and officials. 

The commission launched an investigation after FGV chief executive officer Zakaria Arshad and three other senior officials were asked to go on leave pending an internal inquiry on deals between Delima Oil and Safitex.

A day after the letter was issued for them to go on leave, Zakaria went to MACC with stacks of files and documents to assist the probe.

He left seven hours after giving his statement to investigators. – June 21, 2017.