Najib should explain how he could appoint Isa Samad as SPAD Acting Chairman when he should have thick dossiers about Isa being a problematic candidate for any top public post because of his controversial role as FELDA and FGV Chairman raising grave issues about integrity, breach of trust and abuse of power

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, owes Malaysians a full and proper explanation as to how he could appoint Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad as Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) Acting Chairman when he should have received thick dossiers about Isa being a problematic candidate for any top public post because of his controversial role as Felda and FGV Chairman, raising grave issues about integrity, breach of trust and abuse of power.

Mohd Isa was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday in its investigations into corruption and abuse of power in the purchase of two hotels, one in London and the other in Kuching, by Felda Investment Corporation (FIC).

The MACC said that it has “strong basis” to arrest Isa and is considering a bid to freeze all assets owned by Mohd Isa.

FIC, the investment arm of Felda focusing mainly on real estate, hospitality and the oil and gas sectors, is said to have bought the four-star Park City Hotel in upmarket Kensington, London, between 2013 and 2015, for an inflated price of RM330mil. It was renamed Grand Plaza Hotel.

It was learnt later that the price of the hotel was overpaid by at least RM110mil.

Another subject of MACC investigation was FIC’s purchase of a hotel in Kuching, Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites, in 2014 for RM160mil, said to be RM50mil more than its actual value. The hotel has 213 guest rooms and apartment suites.

Najib would have received a long list of complaints about corruption, abuses of power and breaches of trust involving Mohd Isa not only in relation to the purchase of the London and Kuching hotels, but purchase of other properties by Felda and FGV as well.

Why did Najib proceed to appoint Mohd Isa as Acting Chairman of SPAD when full investigations should have been allowed to be completed to determine whether Mohd Isa had been guilty of corruption, abuse of power and breaches of trust in these transactions whether as Felda or FGV Chairman?

What is the position of Mohd Isa as Acting Chairman of SPAD following his arrest by MACC?