THE arrest of Isa Samad yesterday is no cause for celebration as it does not guarantee that the government will address the key issues of corruption and mismanagement plaguing Felda and Felda Global Ventures Holdings (FGV), said opposition leaders.

They say that Malaysian history has proved that high-level officials who are arrested and charged are often freed after a trial.

“We don’t want to be entertained with drama like what happened in the case of the Port Klang Free Zone, where all the accused were suddenly released,” PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar told The Malaysian Insight.

“Isa’s arrest is still at an early stage, and still uncertain if he will be charged and tried in court.”

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arrested the former Felda and FGV chairman yesterday over Felda Investment Corporation (FIC)’s purchase of hotels in London and Kuching.

Isa resigned his position in FGV last month, after which he was appointed acting chairman of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) two months ago. 

Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar echoed Nurul Izzah’s concerns that the arrest was merely a show to appease the angry public.

“Is this a film plot, ‘Felda 1’, where Isa is arrested and charged? 

The High Court will find him guilty before the 14th general election. But after GE14, the Court of Appeal will free Isa, just like it has happened in the past,” said the former deputy president of PAS.

Mahfuz said action must also be taken against those who had made Isa Felda and FGV chairman.

“Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is responsible for appointing Isa, has to take responsibility.

“After the problems in Felda and FGV, Isa was then moved to become the acting chairman of Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat (SPAD), in what appears to be an effort to shut his mouth so he does not leak out secrets of the one who appointed him,” said Mahfuz.

He urged for Isa to be immediately fired from SPAD so that the agency does not suffer the same fate as Felda.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki said Isa’s arrest follows his recorded statement regarding the purchase of the hotels.

“MACC is confident we have a strong basis to make the arrest in order to complete investigations into the case,” he said.

Amanah vice-president Salahuddin Ayub said Isa’s arrest validated the opposition’s objections to the appointment of Isa as Felda and FGV chairman.

“When Isa was appointed the Felda and FGV chairman, we said it would surely lead to disaster. We said Isa’s appointment would definitely be detrimental to Felda,” said the former Kubang Kerian MP.

Salahuddin said he hoped Isa’s case would be investigated according to proper procedures and if found guilty, the former Negri Sembilan menteri besar must not be allowed to escape judgement. – August 16, 2017.