PUTRAJAYA: Heaving a sigh of relief following his acquittal, Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad says he can now live a normal life again alongside his family.
After the verdict was delivered by the Court of Appeal and as Mohd Isa stepped out from the courtroom at the Palace of Justice here yesterday, he was received with hugs and tears from family members and friends.
“We have (known from the outset) that there was no issue, but the process must continue and we accepted any verdict (along the way),” he told reporters yesterday.
“My wife and I would like to express our gratitude to Allah as with His will, the case is finally concluded and I’m relieved because my family and I can live normally again.
“I also thank my lawyer and his team for their hard work these past six years,” he added.
Asked if the court’s decision was a form of vindication, the former Negri Sembilan mentri besar said: “Whatever the court has decided, it was its right.”
“As the accused, we have to accept the results no matter what and for today’s verdict, I’m thankful for it. I have no further comment.”
He added that he has no plans yet to rejoin politics but reiterated his support for Umno.
“I’ve retired from politics, so I don’t have any plans yet.
“It is subjective, whether to rejoin or not... It depends on the situation.
“If the situation allows, I will (return). But for sure, I am a loyal supporter of Umno,” the former Jempol MP said.
Mohd Isa’s wife, Puan Sri Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid, said the appellate court’s verdict was a win for the family after a long six-year battle.
“There was no political involvement at all. He has been receiving support from his friends as we are all confident that he was innocent.
“He never stopped praying to God, and he never asked for help from anyone else for this case he was facing,” said Bibi Sharliza, who is also the Juasseh assemblyman.
Lawyer Datuk Salehuddin Saidin said the defence team would remain prepared for any possibility as the prosecution may still appeal to the Federal Court.
“We have to be ready (in the event that) the prosecution brings the case to a higher court,” he said.
Earlier in the morning, the Court of Appeal acquitted Mohd Isa of his conviction and sentence on nine counts of corruption involving the purchase of a hotel in Sarawak.
In a unanimous decision, a three-judge panel chaired by Justice Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera allowed Mohd Isa’s appeal against his conviction and sentence.
