His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, revoked the Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM) award and the accompanying "Tan Sri" title from former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, effective June 8, 2026 [1, 2, 3].
The revocation followed Isa Samad's conviction on nine corruption charges related to RM3.09 million in bribes linked to Felda Investment Corporation's purchase of the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites in Kuching, Sarawak [1, 4, 5]. The bribes were allegedly paid by Gegasan Abadi Properties director Ikhwan Zaidel through Isa's former special officer Muhammad Zahid Md Arip to induce approval of the RM160 million acquisition [4, 5].
Isa Samad, aged 77, is serving a six-year prison sentence at Sungai Buloh Prison in Selangor since February 10, 2026, after the Federal Court reinstated his conviction and sentence [1, 6, 7]. The Federal Court restored the High Court's February 3, 2021 decision, which imposed a six-year jail term and a RM15.45 million fine, plus a two-year additional jail term if the fine is unpaid [1, 2, 3].
On March 6, 2024, the Court of Appeal had acquitted Isa Samad of all charges, but this was overturned by the Federal Court in February 2026 [1, 4, 5]. The revocation of his honors was made under Paragraphs XXV and XXVIA of the Statutes of the Most Esteemed Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia, which allow for honors to be rescinded upon conviction [1, 2, 3].
This action aligns with a royal decree issued by Sultan Ibrahim at a federal awards ceremony on September 7, 2024, setting the framework for withdrawing honors in such cases [1, 2, 3].
Isa Samad’s application for leave to review the Federal Court’s reinstatement of his conviction and sentence is scheduled to be heard on June 26, 2026 [4, 5].
