KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has summoned former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to verify hundreds of documents as part of an ongoing corruption investigation.
The probe involves cash and gold bars worth RM177 million (approximately S$53.2 million), confiscated from multiple premises, including a suspected safe house in Kuala Lumpur.
According to Malaysian media outlet Berita Harian, a source stated that the documents include asset declarations, procurement records, and approval papers linked to Ismail Sabri’s time in office.
The source added that the former prime minister has been questioned extensively to aid in reviewing these materials.
“This is one of the reasons why Ismail Sabri has been summoned for questioning over several days, as MACC officers need to examine hundreds of documents as part of the investigation,” the source was quoted as saying.
MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki confirmed that investigators are reviewing the seized documents but declined to provide further comments on the investigation.
Seized assets and frozen accounts
MACC investigators have also seized cash holdings amounting to RM170 million (S$48.7 million) in various international currencies, as well as 16 kg of gold bullion valued at approximately RM7 million (approximately S$2.1 million).
Additionally, 13 bank accounts containing over RM2 million (approximately S$601,000) have been frozen in connection with the case.
The investigation, which was delayed multiple times due to Ismail Sabri’s health concerns, resumed this week with lengthy questioning sessions at MACC headquarters.
On 14 March, Ismail Sabri attended two separate questioning sessions, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. He had previously given a six-hour statement on 13 March.
Earlier, on 1 March, he was questioned for five hours regarding the expenditure of hundreds of millions of ringgit on promotional and publicity efforts during his administration from 2021 to 2022.
The case is being investigated under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2001. Authorities are examining potential links between the seized assets and government spending during Ismail Sabri’s tenure.
If formally charged, Ismail Sabri will join a growing list of former Malaysian prime ministers facing corruption probes after leaving office.
He is the third ex-premier under investigation, following Najib Razak and Muhyiddin Yassin.
Najib is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for corruption linked to the 1MDB scandal, while Muhyiddin was previously investigated over the alleged misuse of COVID-19 stimulus funds.
The case has drawn widespread attention, as it raises concerns about financial mismanagement and the accountability of former leaders in Malaysia.
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