PUTRAJAYA: Tan Sri Isa Samad has been arrested by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) today in connection with the ongoing investigation into Felda Investment Corporation (FIC)'s hotel purchases in London and Kuching.
The former Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) chairman was nabbed when he presented himself at MACC headquarters at 2.40pm here to have his statement recorded.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki confirmed that the arrest was made at 4.24pm.
"The arrest is a follow-up action based on statements recorded by the investigation team on the purchases of the luxury hotels previously.
"MACC is confident that it has strong basis to carry out the arrest to help in concluding the investigations on the case," he added.
Earlier, Isa who arrived at the commission, wearing mustard yellow suit and blue pants, was seen smiling at reporters before entering the commission's building here.
Two months ago, the Prime Minister's Office had announced that Isa has been appointed acting chairman of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).
MACC is currently investigating FIC’s purchase of a property in Kensington, London, between 2013 and 2015, for a total of £60mil (RM330mil) when actual value of the property at the time of purchase was said to be RM110 million.
The graftbuster is also in the midst of investigating, FIC's 2014 purchase of a Kuching hotel, comprising 213 guest rooms and apartment suites which had raised suspicions of corruption and abuse of power.
It is believed that FIC paid between RM40 million and RM50 million higher than the actual market value of the hotel.
FIC is the investment arm of Felda.
Last week, MACC recorded statements from FIC's three former board members; Datuk Noor Ehsanuddin Mohd Harun Narrashid, Datuk Nik Azman Mohamed Zain and Datuk Dr Omar Salim.
Later, Felda Legal Division Director Helwani Lukman and another lawyer, believed to be the partner of the lawyer arrested by MACC two weeks ago, were also summoned for questioning.
So far, ten people, including Isa, have been arrested and more than 30 witnesses have recorded their statements to assist in the ongoing probe.
Among those remanded were former FIC chief executive officer Zaid Abdul Jalil and Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, who was the former press secretary to Isa when he was still chairman
