11/02/2026

WEDNESDAY | FEB 11, 2026

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Call for Muhyiddin to step down PETALING JAYA: Bersatu vice president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee has openly urged party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to step down, warning that the party is heading towards an irreversible internal crisis. The call came after Bersatu’s Disciplinary Board summoned deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin over a series of old and new allegations, a move Ronald described as regressive and contradictory to efforts to strengthen the party ahead of the next general election. “Disciplinary action against Hamzah not only undermines the top leadership but also sends the wrong signal to grassroots members and supporters at a time when Bersatu should be focusing on unity and preparation to face current political challenges,” Ronald said. He also criticised the board’s decision to summon several division chiefs, including MPs and state assemblymen backing Hamzah, calling it a desperate misuse of disciplinary procedures. “This action appears to be an attempt to silence key leaders from expressing views, criticisms and feedback that are vital to Bersatu’s survival and future.” Ronald also said such developments have left Bersatu appearing increasingly directionless, straying from the party’s founding objectives. He added that the party’s political efforts now seem focused on safeguarding Muhyiddin’s position and protecting certain leadership factions, without due consideration for the impact on relationships and trust among PN component parties. “The crisis not only damages Bersatu’s image but also has a direct impact on the confidence of coalition partners and the overall readiness of PN.” He emphasised that Muhyiddin has failed to manage the party’s internal divisions, allowing disputes to fester to a point that is increasingly difficult to repair. He alleged that the Bersatu president is now using his remaining influence solely to defend his position, including blocking Hamzah’s emergence as a future leader. “These actions give the impression that personal interests, including the agenda to return as prime minister, have taken precedence over the party’s needs and the interests of the coalition.” Ronald said the time has come for Muhyiddin to step down honourably to restore and rebuild Bersatu’s strength, including reinforcing strategic ties with PN component parties. He added that such a move would open the door to leadership renewal, ease internal tensions and restore confidence among party members, supporters and coalition partners. Hamzah is scheduled to appear before the Bersatu Disciplinary Board at 12pm on Thursday at the party’s headquarters to assist in investigations into alleged disruptions during the party’s annual general assembly and attacks against Muhyiddin. Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Former Felda chairman sent to jail

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o Six-year sentence, RM15.45m fine for Isa Samad after court reinstates conviction

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

the the evidence of solicitation or demand for the grant money. “As the special officer of the respondent, it was highly improbable that Zahid would solicit or demand the grant money for himself. “It requires a person in authority to solicit or demand such a substantial amount. “In the present case, the respondent is that person,” Nordin said. The court also ruled that all elements of the offences were proven beyond reasonable doubt and that Isa failed to rebut the presumption under Section 50(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act, adding that the Court of Appeal had misapplied the law. “We reiterate that corruption is a heinous act that could destroy a nation. “The sentence of six years’ imprisonment for each charge, to be served concurrently, and a total fine of RM15.45 million imposed by the trial judge is appropriate and in accordance with the law.” Following the decision, the court issued a committal warrant, ordering Isa to be taken into custody. Isa will serve his sentence at the Sungai Buloh Prison. He was first charged on Dec 14, 2018, with one count of criminal breach of trust and nine counts of receiving gratification exceeding RM3 million, linked to his approval of FICSB’s hotel purchase in Kuching. The offences were allegedly committed on the 49th floor of Menara Felda at Persiaran KLCC, between July 21, 2014, and Dec 11, 2015. Isa faced charges under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act, which carries a maximum 20-year jail term and a fine of at least five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher. However, on March 6, 2024, the Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged him of all charges after allowing his appeal. ‘salam’, supported

PETALING JAYA: Former Felda chairman Isa Samad, 76, began serving his six-year prison sentence yesterday after the Federal Court reinstated his conviction and RM15.45 million fine for corruption, overturning a Court of Appeal ruling that had acquitted him of all charges previously. A three-member bench led by Datuk Nordin Hassan, with Datuk Lee Swee Seng and Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali, allowed the prosecution’s appeal. Nordin, in delivering the unanimous decision, said the trial judge’s conviction was supported by evidence and that the Court of Appeal had erred in its reversal. The case involved RM3.09 million linked to Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd’s (FICSB) purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites (MPHS) in Kuching. Nordin said Isa had used an intermediary to solicit political funds from a businessman whose company stood to benefit from the purchase. “In the present case, the respondent, the chairman of FICSB, who was involved in the approval of the purchase of MPHS from Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd (GAPSB), conveyed ‘salam’ several times to Ikhwan Zaidel.” Ikhwan was the director and shareholder of GAPSB, the company that sold MPHS to FICSB. The court observed that while conveying “salam” is a common practice among Muslims, the context in this case indicated solicitation, rejecting the defence claim that Isa’s former special political officer, Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, acted independently. “That spreads a different connotation. “In the context of the present case, the respondent’s communication, together with ۬

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Six held for false airline ticket claims worth more than RM1 million KOTA KINABALU: Four federal statutory body officers and two travel agency employees were arrested by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) in Sabah on Monday to assist in investigations into false claims involving airline tickets amounting to about RM1.3 million. their 30s and 50s – were detained at about 9.30pm at the Sabah MACC office when they turned up to give their statements. The arrests were made following investigations into their alleged involvement in submitting false claims related to the purchase of airline tickets using air travel warrants. to have been falsified, while no actual airline tickets were supplied by the company concerned to the officers and staff of the department.” Sabah MACC director Datuk Mohd Fuad Bee Basrah confirmed the arrests. “An application for remand against all the suspects will be made today (yesterday) at the Kota Kinabalu Magistrate’s Court to allow further investigations to be carried out.” submitting documents containing false particulars.

He also said several follow-up arrests might be made in the future based on developments in the investigation. – Bernama

He said the case is being investigated under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 for

According to a source, all six suspects – comprising two men and four women aged between

“Initial investigations found that the flight details are believed