Latest news with #Ikhwan


The Star
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Prosecution lists 24 grounds why Appeals Court erred in acquitting Isa Samad
PUTRAJAYA: The prosecution has listed 24 grounds in its petition of appeal on why the Court of Appeal erred in acquitting former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad of nine corruption charges. In the petition filed at the Federal Court on June 26, the prosecution is seeking to reinstate the High Court's 2012 decision, which found Mohd Isa guilty and sentenced him to six years' imprisonment and a fine of RM15.45mil, in default 18 years in prison. A check on the court's e-filing system showed that the case management has been scheduled for Monday (July 7). In the petition of appeal, the prosecution argued that the Court of Appeal erred in law in overturning the High Court's findings, which established that Mohd Isa had instructed his former special political officer, Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, to solicit bribes from a Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd board member, Ikhwan Zaidel. The prosecution contended it had presented evidence that following two meetings, Mohd Isa had indirectly instructed Muhammad Zahid to solicit bribes from Ikhwan, and that Muhammad Zahid acted on the instruction and then handed over the bribes in stages to Mohd Isa. The prosecution also said the Court of Appeal was wrong in law in finding there was evidence from Ikhwan indicating that Mohd Isa had never requested gratification from him in the two meetings with him in his office. "The Judges of the Court of Appeal erred in law and in fact when they disturbed the factual finding made by the High Court judge that Mohd Isa had instructed Muhammad Zahid to request and receive bribes from Ikhwan indirectly when the respondent (Mohd Isa) uttered the words: "If they give anything later, you just take it" (kalau diorang bagi apa-apa nanti kau ambil lah) to Muhammad Zahid," it said in its petition of appeal. The prosecution said Muhammad Zahid, who was one of the prosecution's witnesses, had understood the words to mean that anything given by Ikhwan should be accepted by him on behalf of Mohd Isa. It said the Court of Appeal made a contrary finding that the statement could not, in a literal sense, be interpreted as a specific request or directive to Muhammad Zahid to solicit a bribe from Ikhwan. The prosecution also argued that the Court of Appeal's findings of fact were inconsistent with the factual findings made by the High Court, which were based on evidence adduced through Muhammad Zahid and Ikhwan, both of whom were found to be credible witnesses. According to the prosecution, Muhammad Zahid's testimony regarding the words spoken had a factual basis following a second meeting between Mohd Isa and Ikhwan, where Ikhwan had expressed gratitude for the approval of the purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites by Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FICSB). It said Mohd Isa had also informed Muhammad Zahid that Ikhwan had told him that he (Ikhwan) could assist Parti Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak. The prosecution said the statement made constituted as a specific instruction from Mohd Isa to Muhammad Zahid to request and receive bribes on his behalf from Ikhwan. On March 6, 2024, the Court of Appeal three-member bench comprising Justices Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera (now Federal Court judge) and Datuk SM Komathy Suppiah, acquitted and discharged Mohd Isa after allowing his appeal. It overturned the Feb 3, 2021, decision by the High Court, which found Mohd Isa guilty of nine corruption charges, allegedly committed on the 49th floor of Menara Felda, Platinum Park, No. 11 Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur between July 21, 2014, and Dec 11, 2015. The prosecution filed its notice of appeal on March 7, 2024. The former Negri Sembilan menteri besar was accused of dishonestly receiving gratification for himself, in cash totalling RM3,090,000 from Ikhwan, through Muhammad Zahid, as gratification for helping to approve the purchase of the hotel by FICSB for RM160 million. The charges were framed under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same law, which provides 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. – Bernama


New Straits Times
05-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Prosecution lists 24 grounds why Court of Appeal wrong to acquit Isa Samad
PUTRAJAYA: The prosecution has listed 24 grounds in its petition of appeal on why the Court of Appeal erred in acquitting former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad of nine corruption charges. In the petition filed at the Federal Court on June 26, the prosecution is seeking to reinstate the High Court's 2012 decision, which found Mohd Isa guilty and sentenced him to six years' imprisonment and a fine of RM15.45 million, in default 18 years in prison. A check on the Court e-filing System Malaysia showed that the case management has been scheduled for this Monday. In the petition of appeal, the prosecution argued that the Court of Appeal erred in law in overturning the High Court's findings, which established that Mohd Isa had instructed his former special political officer, Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, to solicit bribes from a Board Member of Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd, Ikhwan Zaidel. The prosecution contended it had presented evidence that following two meetings, Mohd Isa had indirectly instructed Muhammad Zahid to solicit bribes from Ikhwan, and that Muhammad Zahid acted on the instruction and then handed over the bribes in stages to Mohd Isa. The prosecution also said the Court of Appeal was wrong in law in finding there was evidence from Ikhwan indicating that Mohd Isa had never requested gratification from him in the two meetings with him in his office. "The Judges of the Court of Appeal erred in law and in fact when they disturbed the factual finding made by the High Court judge that Mohd Isa had instructed Muhammad Zahid to request and receive bribes from Ikhwan indirectly when the respondent (Mohd Isa) uttered the words "If they give anything later, you just take it" (kalau diorang bagi apa-apa nanti kau ambil lah) to Muhammad Zahid," it said in its petition of appeal. The prosecution said Muhammad Zahid, who was one of the prosecution's witnesses, had understood the words to mean that anything given by Ikhwan should be accepted by him on behalf of Mohd Isa. It said the Court of Appeal made a contrary finding that the statement could not, in a literal sense, be interpreted as a specific request or directive to Muhammad Zahid to solicit a bribe from Ikhwan. The prosecution also argued that the Court of Appeal's findings of fact were inconsistent with the factual findings made by the High Court, which were based on evidence adduced through Muhammad Zahid and Ikhwan, both of whom were found to be credible witnesses. According to the prosecution, Muhammad Zahid's testimony regarding the words spoken had a factual basis following a second meeting between Mohd Isa and Ikhwan, where Ikhwan had expressed gratitude for the approval of the purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites by Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FICSB). It said Mohd Isa had also informed Muhammad Zahid that Ikhwan had told him that he (Ikhwan) could assist Parti Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak. The prosecution said the statement made constituted as a specific instruction from Mohd Isa to Muhammad Zahid to request and receive bribes on his behalf from Ikhwan. On March 6, last year, the Court of Appeal three-member bench, comprising Justices Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera (now Federal Court judge) and Datuk S.M. Komathy Suppiah, acquitted and discharged Mohd Isa after allowing his appeal. It overturned the Feb 3, 2021, decision by the High Court, which found Mohd Isa guilty of nine corruption charges, allegedly committed on the 49th floor of Menara Felda, Platinum Park, No. 11 Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur between July 21, 2014, and Dec 11, 2015. The prosecution filed its notice of appeal on March 7, last year. The former Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar was accused of dishonestly receiving gratification for himself, in cash totalling RM3,090,000 from Ikhwan, through Muhammad Zahid, as gratification for helping to approve the purchase of the hotel by FICSB for RM160 million. The charges were framed under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same law, which provides 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. — BERNAMA

The Star
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Fahmi: Hawana aid has helped 405 media practitioners
PUTRAJAYA: A total of 405 media practitioners have benefited from a special fund launched in conjunction with National Journalists' Day (Hawana) in 2023. Communication Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil (pic), who disclosed this, said more media practitioners will receive aid with the Hawana 2025 celebration scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. He said media practitioners who previously received assistance will also get aid. 'If there is anyone we need to reach out to and provide additional assistance for, I will ask that this matter be looked into,' he told reporters after presenting the Tabung Kasih@Hawana contribution to New Straits Times photo editor Ikhwan Munir, 50, who is undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer at Putrajaya Hospital yesterday, Bernama reported. Also present were Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Media Prima Group managing editor Jasbant Singh. The fund, an initiative of the Communications Ministry, is managed by Bernama. Fahmi said the national news agency would continue to monitor the needs of Ikhwan, who has two children aged seven and 23. 'Ikhwan has been battling health issues over the past few weeks, so his wife is unable to work. Bernama will continue to monitor to see if we need to provide further help to him,' he added. The minister said he also took the opportunity during his visit to seek feedback from the hospital management on telecommunication coverage and Internet access at the health facility. 'They are satisfied, though they did say there is a minor issue with one of the telcos at the new wing. I have asked this telco to help optimise their services,' said Fahmi.


New Straits Times
09-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
NSTP photo editor with cancer receives aid under Tabung Kasih@Hawana
PUTRAJAYA: New Straits Times Press (NSTP) photo editor Ikhwan Munir, who has been diagnosed with colon cancer, received financial aid under the Tabung Kasih@Hawana initiative today. The aid was presented by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil when he visited Ikhwan at Putrajaya Hospital today. Ikhwan, 50, is undergoing treatment at the hospital following his diagnosis in May. He has served with NSTP for 29 years. After the visit, Fahmi said the aid was part of the government's efforts to support media practitioners facing difficult circumstances. "Today, we visited Ikhwan to deliver a small contribution under the Tabung Kasih@Hawana initiative. "We hope the money and basic necessities will bring him some comfort and encouragement during this challenging time." Present were Media Prima News and Current Affairs group managing editor Jasbant Singh, Berita Harian group editor Zulkifli Jalil, Bernama chief executive officer Datin Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, as well as representatives from Media Prima. Fahmi thanked Media Prima for its continued concern for the wellbeing of its staff. He said his ministry, together with Bernama, would continue to monitor Ikhwan's condition to determine whether further assistance would be needed. "His wife is no longer working and we have taken note of several matters. "There is a 16-year age gap between their two children and the eldest is helping to care for the youngest." On the aid programme, Fahmi said 405 media practitioners have benefited from the initiative since its launch in 2023. "We hope that when we celebrate Hawana (National Journalists Day) this Saturday, on June 14, we will not only be able to extend support to more individuals, but also review the needs of previous recipients and provide additional aid if necessary." Jasbant thanked the ministry and Bernama for the assistance. "This reflects the minister's deep concern for the welfare of members of the journalism community in our country. "The aid given is certainly meaningful to Ikhwan's family and will help ease their burden as they face this difficult time. "I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the hospital for the high-quality care provided, which has proven effective, as Ikhwan is gradually recovering."


The Sun
09-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Tabung Kasih@HAWANA initiative has benefited 405 media practitioners
PUTRAJAYA: A total of 405 media practitioners nationwide have benefited from the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA initiative since its launch in conjunction with the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) in 2023. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said more media practitioners are being targeted for assistance in conjunction with the highlight of the HAWANA 2025 celebration at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTC KL) on Saturday (June 14). 'We will assist not only more people but also those who had previously received the contribution. 'If there is anyone we need to reach out to and provide additional assistance, I will ask that this matter be looked into,' he said. He told reporters this after presenting the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA contribution to News Straits Times (NST) photo editor Ikhwan Munir, 50, who is undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer at Putrajaya Hospital, here today. Also present were Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Media Prima Group managing editor Jasbant Singh. The fund is an initiative by the Communications Ministry and implemented by Bernama. Fahmi said that, as such, Bernama would continue to monitor the needs of Ikhwan, who has two children aged seven and 23. 'Ikhwan has been battling health issues over the past few weeks, so his wife can't work. Insya-Allah, Bernama will continue to monitor (his situation) to see if we need to provide any more assistance to him after this,' he said. In another development, Fahmi said he also used the opportunity to get feedback from the Putrajaya Hospital authorities regarding telecommunication coverage and Internet access at the health facility. 'They are satisfied, though they did say there is a small problem with one of the telecommunication service providers (telcos) over at the new wing. So, I have asked this telco to come and help optimise their services,' he said.