Dr M's political secretary charged with acting as middleman for Isa Samad

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 14): Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's political secretary has been implicated in the graft case against Tan Sri Isa Abdul Samad in the Sessions Court today.

According to the charge sheet, Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, who was Isa's former special officer, acted as the middleman between Isa and Gagasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd director Ikhwan Zaidel.

Muhammad Zahid, who was appointed as Dr Mahathir's political secretary on May 30, was mentioned in nine out of the 10 corruption charges faced by Isa, the former Felda chairman, reported The Star.

Isa was accused today of receiving a bribe to the tune of RM3.09 million to facilitate Felda's purchase of the , Sarawak. The offences were allegedly committed between July 21, 2014 and Dec 11, 2015.

Previously, Muhammad Zahid was reported to be arrested and remanded for eight days by the MACC over the hotel deal in August 2017.