PUTRAJAYA — Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was grilled by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for around five hours today and is expected to be recalled tomorrow for further questioning.
He was seen leaving the MACC headquarters here at 3.13pm today and waved to media personnel who waited for him since morning, Bernama reports.
The national news agency also said it is understood that he will return to the headquarters at 9am tomorrow for anti-graft officers to continue recording his statement.
In a brief statement to the media later, Ismail Sabri said he would fully cooperate with the authorities until the investigation is concluded.
“Today, I was at the MACC headquarters to provide my statement. I will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities until the investigation is concluded,” he said.
Ismail Sabri, who was prime minister from 2021 to 2022, is the suspect in a MACC probe into a corruption and money laundering case involving funds used for publicity and promotional activities during his administration.
He was initially scheduled to have his statement recorded on March 7 but this was postponed to today due to health issues.
On Feb 21, the 65-year-old collapsed at his home and was admitted to a private medical centre, reportedly for blood pressure-related issues.
MACC’s investigation saw the arrest and remand of four of Ismail Sabri’s former officers last month. Some of their homes as well as a safe house were raided, leading to the discovery and seizure of RM170 million in various currencies.
Also seized were 16 kg of pure gold bars estimated to be worth almost RM7 million.
The MACC has also frozen 13 bank accounts containing over RM2 million to assist in the investigation.
New Straits Times, meanwhile, reported MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirming that Ismail Sabri will return to the anti-graft agency’s headquarters here tomorrow for further questioning. – March 13, 2025