UMNO Vice Presidency The UMNO Disciplinary Board chaired by Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ismail suspended Isa's membership for six years (2005 to 2011) on money politics in the UMNO General Assembly 2004 after winning the vice-president's post for being guilty five of nine money politics charges involving organizing meetings, organizing and giving money to buy votes. Isa's case is related to a statement by
Rais Yatim about 18 people to be detained for investigation by the
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). At that time Rais Yatim was the Minister of Justice of Malaysia. Following suspension of membership, Isa resigned as
Federal Territory Minister on 17 October 2005.
FELDA Chairmanship On 27 December 2010, Prime Minister's Office said Isa appointed
chairman of the
Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) effective 1 January 2011, replacing Dr Mohd Yusof Noor appointed an Advisor to the Minister responsible for FELDA. On June 20, 2012, the 31st FELDA Capital Cooperative Annual General Meeting (KPF) was held at Dewan Perdana FELDA,
Kuala Lumpur with strict control of the police. Isa Samad as FELDA chairman (contract only) will not be present because of the Kuala Lumpur High Court order as he is not a settler, energetic son or FELDA staff. Judge Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim explained that there was merit to allow four FELDA settlers to challenge Isa' membership in KPF and his membership in a frozen cooperative. Lawyer
Mohamed Hanipa Maidin from Mohamed Hanifa & Associates representing applicants Abdul Talib Ali, Abdul Mubin Abdul Rahman, Abdul Razak Mohammad and Muhamad Noor Atan while Senior Federal Counsel Shamsul Bolhassan represented the respondents namely the Cooperative Commission of Malaysia Cooperation Commission (SKM), SKM and KPF. On 23 May 2012, the SKM dispute reference panel, SKM has confirmed the membership of Isa despite acknowledging that the appointment of Isa was illegal. Mazlan Aliman of the National Felda Settlers' Children Association (ANAK) opposes Felda Global Ventures Holdings Berhad (FGVH) listing on Bursa Malaysia. Child Economy Developer Dr Rosli Yaakop disappointed with Minister
Ismail Sabri Yaakob for setting aside the by-laws in the Cooperative Commission Act to exclude certain individuals from complying with the requirements of the KPF by-laws (June 5, 2012).
FGV Chairmanship Isa as
chairman of
Felda Global Ventures Holdings (FGV) Bhd has been in conflict with
chief executive officer, Zakaria Arshad. Isa was transferred from FGV once he has resigned to be the acting chairman of
Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) on 19 June 2017.
SPAD Chairmanship After the
2018 general election that saw the downfall of BN government, on 23 May 2018 the new
Pakatan Harapan (PH) Prime Minister Dr.
Mahathir Mohamad announced that the SPAD was to be abolished and Transport Minister
Anthony Loke told Isa to resign from SPAD chairman within a week. Isa resigned as SPAD chairman on 29 May 2018.
FGV legal suits On 23 November 2018, FGV filed a suit against former chairman, Isa and former group president and chief executive officer, Mohd Emir Mavani Abdullah and 12 others for RM514 million and other damages in relation to the acquisition of London-listed Asian Plantations Ltd in 2014. On 30 November 2018, FGV filed another suit against Isa, Emir seeking relief totalling RM7.69 million in relation to the purchase of two luxury condominiums at Troika, Persiaran KLCC at prices significantly above market value, without proper due diligence and/or unauthorised use and possession of the units.
FELDA CBT and bribery case On 14 December 2018, Isa has claimed trial to a charge of criminal
breach of trust (CBT) and nine counts of
receiving graft involving more than RM3mil as FELDA Chairman at Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court. The first charge, he allegedly committed CBT by approving the purchase of Merdeka Palace & Suites Hotel without the approval from the Felda board of directors on 29 April 2014. Mohd Isa was also charged with receiving bribes of RM100,000; RM140,000; RM300,000; RM250,000; RM500,000; RM500,000; RM300,000; 500,000; and RM500,000 totalling RM3.09mil from Gagasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd director Ikhwan Zaidel between July 2014 and December 2015 as well as through Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, who was the Prime Minister's political secretary then, as gratification for helping approve the hotel's purchase for RM160mil. The
High Court had on 3 February 2021 convicted Isa and sentenced him to six years in jail and RM15.45 million fine. However, his conviction was unanimously overturned by the
Court of Appeal on 6 March 2024 and he was acquitted of all counts of corruption charges. The prosecution then filed for an appeal to the
Federal Court the following day. On 10 February 2026, the Federal Court allowed the appeal and reinstated the conviction and sentence of Isa. As he exhausted his last legal venue, he was ordered to begin his prison sentence at the
Sungai Buloh Prison immediately. His wife Bibi Sharliza was seen crying at the public gallery when the sentence was announced, while his other family members were also seen hugging each other. ==Election results==