PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed that former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is being investigated for corruption and money laundering.
In a statement today, MACC said the investigation focuses on expenditures and fund procurement for promotional and publicity purposes during Ismail Sabri's tenure as prime minister.
The probe into the country's ninth Prime Minister is being conducted under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, it said.
“In line with this, the former Prime Minister was instructed to declare his assets under Section 36(1) of the MACC Act 2009 on Dec 11, 2024, and the declaration was officially made on Feb 10,” the statement read.
MACC also said that based on new information and intelligence, four senior officers who served under Ismail Sabri have been detained.
Following further investigations into these four individuals, MACC conducted searches at their residences and three other locations believed to be ‘safehouses’.
During the operations, authorities seized about RM170 million in cash in various international currencies, including Baht, Riyal, Pound Sterling, Won, Euro, Swiss Franc and Yuan, as well as 16 kilogrammes of pure gold bullion estimated to be worth nearly RM7 million.
MACC also confirmed that Ismail Sabri provided his statement on Feb 19 but did not rule out the possibility of summoning him again for further investigation.
“A total of 10 other witnesses have been identified and will be called in to assist in the investigation soon,” the commission said.
MACC emphasised that the investigation is being conducted independently, professionally and in accordance with the law.
“MACC is committed to ensuring that any misconduct related to corruption and money laundering is dealt with firmly in the interest of the nation,” it added.
