KUALA LUMPUR — In a decisive move reinforcing judicial accountability, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has revoked the “Tan Sri” title previously bestowed upon former Felda chairman Isa Samad, who is currently serving a prison sentence for corruption.
The Prime Minister’s Department confirmed in a statement today that His Majesty consented to stripping Isa of the prestigious Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM) award, which carries the title, effective June 8.
“This is due to the fact that Isa is currently serving a prison sentence at Sungai Buloh prison after being convicted of an offence,” said the statement.
Alignment with Royal Decrees
According to the Prime Minister’s Department, the revocation strictly adheres to established statutes governing the withdrawal of federal honours from individuals convicted of criminal offences.
The move directly underscores Sultan Ibrahim’s uncompromising stance on integrity. It aligns seamlessly with His Majesty’s 2024 warning, where he explicitly stated he would withdraw federal awards, medals, and honours from any recipient who commits a crime or is convicted by the courts.
A tumultuous legal battle
Isa, who also previously served as the menteri besar of Negeri Sembilan, was convicted by the High Court in 2021 on nine counts of corruption involving RM3.09 million. The conviction carried a six-year prison sentence alongside a staggering RM15.5 million fine.
His legal trajectory saw a temporary reprieve two years ago when a Court of Appeal bench allowed his appeal, quashing both the conviction and the sentence.
However, that victory was short-lived. On Feb 10, the Federal Court overturned the appellate court’s decision, restoring the original conviction and sentence, and ordering Isa to begin serving his jail term immediately.
While Isa has since filed an application seeking leave to review the apex court’s decision, his immediate reality remains behind bars. The Federal Court has scheduled June 26 to hear the review application. – June 11, 2026