KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed that former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is a suspect under investigation, not merely a witness, in a corruption and money laundering case.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the agency has taken several actions against Ismail, including requiring him to declare his assets under Section 36 of the MACC Act.
“The discovery of RM170 million in cash at the safehouse also confirms the Bera MP as a suspect.
“In this matter, what I can say is that he is a suspect in this case because he has already been asked to declare his assets under Section 36 of the MACC Act (asset declaration).
“Secondly, with the discovery of this money and his alleged involvement, we need to obtain an explanation from him regarding the cash found.
“The Bera MP will also be called in again to provide a statement on Wednesday,” he told a press conference in Putrajaya today.
The MACC today displayed approximately RM170 million in cash in various international currencies, along with 16 kilograms of pure gold bars estimated to be worth nearly RM7 million.
The cash was exhibited after the MACC revealed that hundreds of millions of ringgit in cash and valuable items were seized from three premises, including a safehouse in the Klang Valley, in connection with the corruption and money laundering case involving Ismail.
The seized cash included banknotes in Baht, Riyal, Pound Sterling (GBP), Won, Euro, Swiss Franc, and Yuan.
Seized assets may exceed current valuation
Azam further revealed that the total value of assets seized in the case involving the former prime minister could be higher than the current estimated amount.
“The MACC has yet to assess a number of jewellery items seized during raids at three premises, including the safehouse in question.
“So far, the estimated amount we have valued stands at RM177 million, consisting of cash in multiple currencies and RM7 million worth of gold bars. Based on the current market price, the gold bars are valued at RM424,000 per kilogram.
“There are also various jewellery items discovered in the investigation, which have not yet been appraised as our investigators are still handling other tasks such as taking statements and examining documents.
“We are also tracing funds that may have been hidden, including those possibly transferred abroad,” he said.
He added that, so far, 13 bank accounts worth RM2 million belonging to individuals, including previously detained suspects, have been frozen as part of the investigation.
“We have not frozen the Malaysian Family Foundation (Yayasan Keluarga Malaysia) account yet as it is not an individual account and remains active, while Ismail Sabri’s account is still under investigation.
“We will also seek an explanation from him (Ismail Sabri) regarding all the accounts involved,” he said.
Azam further disclosed that the MACC still needs to record statements from seven to eight more individuals to proceed with the case.
“We have already taken statements from several of Ismail Sabri’s key aides during his tenure as prime minister, including Datuk Nazimah Hashim, the former principal private secretary,” he said.
When asked whether the seized money was part of Ismail’s declared assets, Azam said he had yet to review the full details.
“I haven’t seen it yet—that will be up to the investigators, but that will certainly be one of the key questions.
“As for the total value of assets declared by Ismail Sabri, I do not have the details at this time, and we cannot disclose it yet as the investigation is still ongoing. Once we are satisfied with the asset declaration, we will make an official announcement,” he said.
Azam added that the MACC’s decision to display the seized assets to the media was to maintain transparency and address public concerns, given that the case has gone viral.
Previously, the MACC stated that it would summon 10 more witnesses in its investigation into the asset declaration case linked to the ninth prime minister.
This follows the arrest of four individuals, including Ismail Sabri’s former senior officer, while the Bera MP was summoned by the MACC last week. – March 3, 2025