Dr Mahathir defends aide over role in Isa Samad’s bribery case

Noel Achariam Noel Achariam Updated 7 years ago · Published on 17 Dec 2018 2:49PM · 4 Comments

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad the accusations against his aide, Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, are accusations, for now. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, December 17, 2018.

PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today defended his political secretary Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, who was named in bribery charges against former Felda chairman Mohd Isa Samad.

“The accusations against him doesn’t mean that he is wrong.

“The accusations were made on the basis of what was acquired (evidence).

“We have to wait until he goes to trial. If he goes to trial and is found guilty, then we can admit he is guilty. But these are just accusations,” he said at an event in Cyberjaya today.
 
Zahid was formerly special officer to Isa at Felda, and was appointed Dr Mahathir’s political secretary on May 30 after the 14th general election.

He was arrested and remanded for eight days in August last year as part of investigations into FIC’s purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites in Kuching.

Zahid is named the intermediary in nine charge sheets accusing Isa of receiving bribes totalling RM3.09 million.

The cash was given to Isa on nine occasions from July 2014 to December 2015 by Ikhwan Zaidel, a director on the board of Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd, through Zahid.

Zahid is now a Bersatu member and sits on the party’s supreme council.

Last week, Zahid had refused to comment on being named in the bribery charges. – December 17, 2018.

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Comments

  • On this point, many will disagree with Tun M. Any public officer whose remuneration is borne by the taxpayers and has been charged with a criminal offence must be interdicted with immediate effect. This is provided for in Chapter G of the Government's General Orders which apply to all public officers and civil servants. So if he has been charged by MACC, he should immediately vacate his post and go on "garden" leave until his court case has reached a judgement and verdict. Tun M is of course aware that this is also in accordance with the rule of law. No exceptions to the rule or else it's double standards and the law of the jungle will prevail.

    Posted 7 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

  • Question is why didnt MACC charged Md Arip for being complicit in the corruption case against Isa Samad? Is it because MACC is fearful of Tun M?

    Posted 7 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • Che Det nak tipy rakyat ke?

    Posted 7 years ago by Ti Mix · Reply

    • Tipu ..

      Posted 7 years ago by Ti Mix · Reply