KUALA LUMPUR: Former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad has posted RM1.5 million bail following his conviction of receiving more than RM3 million in bribes.
He arrived at the Kuala Lumpur court complex in Jalan Duta with his wife Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid at 10.35am.
Clad in a blue shirt, Isa was calm and smiled to pressmen who waited for him since 9am.
The former Negri Sembilan menteri besar spent about several minutes at the High Court registration office and left after completing the documentation.
The money was paid by Bibi as his bailor.
High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali convicted Mohd Isa of all nine charges he faced, ruling that the defence had failed to raise any doubt in the prosecution's case against him.
Mohd Nazlan also imposed a RM15.4 million fine on Mohd Isa in default 18 years in jail for all the charges.
Mohd Nazlan also imposed an additional condition on Mohd Isa which was for him to report to the police station on the first day of each month until the disposal of the appeal.
In handing down the sentence, Mohd Nazlan highlighted the seriousness of corruption-related offences which is threatening the country's economy and the democratic system.
The court also took note of the accused's background, administrative record as well as his involvement in politics in which the accused had served as MB for two decades and also as a cabinet minister.
Mohd Isa was charged with nine counts of receiving gratification amounting to more than RM3 million, by approving a proposal for the purchase of a hotel in Kuching, Sarawak, for Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FICSB), a Felda subsidiary.
He allegedly committed the CBT offence at Level 50, Menara Felda, Platinum Park, No. 11, Persiaran KLCC near here on April 29, 2014.
The charge under Section 409 of the Penal Code carries an imprisonment for up to 20 years, whipping and fine, if found guilty.
On the corruption counts, Mohd Isa was charged with committing the offences at Level 49, Menara Felda, between July 21, 2014, and Dec 11, 2015.
The charges framed under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same law carries a jail term of not exceeding 20 years and a fine of at least five times the bribe amount, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.