Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has been charged in the Sessions Court here with failing to declare assets, including RM14.77 million in cash, millions of ringgit worth of foreign currencies and five gold bars.
The 66-year-old Bera MP pleaded not guilty after the charge was read before Sessions Court Judge Suzana Hussin today.
The charge was brought under Section 36(2) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which covers the wilful failure to comply with a notice requiring a person to provide a written statement on oath or affirmation concerning their assets.
According to the charge, Ismail Sabri allegedly provided a written statement on Feb 7, 2025 that did not comply with the terms of a MACC notice dated Jan 7, 2025. The notice was served on him by a MACC officer on Jan 10, 2025.
The assets allegedly not declared included RM14,772,150, S$6,132,350, US$1,461,400, CHF3 million, €12,164,150, ¥363 million, £50,250, NZ$44,600, AED34.75 million and A$352,850, as well as five Suisse Fine Gold bars.
If convicted, Ismail Sabri faces a maximum jail term of five years and a fine of up to RM100,000.
The charge follows a wider MACC investigation into alleged corruption and money laundering involving individuals linked to Ismail Sabri’s administration. In an earlier phase of the investigation, MACC seized about RM170 million in cash in various currencies and 16kg of pure gold bars, estimated at RM7 million, during searches of premises allegedly used as safe houses.
