Azam Baki: No Bali trip, Jovian's statement taken in Jakarta
KAJANG: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has denied claims that its officers travelled to Bali, Indonesia, to interview Datuk Jovian Mandagie.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said that the officers were in fact in Jakarta on official duty as part of an ongoing investigation.
"Someone asked me why MACC officers went to Bali. I never said that. My officers are in Jakarta, not on holiday," he said at a press conference following the MACC's 2nd Certified Law Enforcement Programme Convocation 2025, held here today.
Jovian, 39, a fashion designer, is the former son-in-law of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Malaysia's ninth prime minister.
Azam said that while he had not yet received a full report, he believes MACC officers have recorded Jovian's statement in Jakarta.
"I've not received the complete report, but I believe my officers took the statement in Jakarta, not Bali," he said.
It was previously reported that MACC officers had spent two days in Jakarta recording Jovian's statement as part of the commission's investigation involving Ismail Sabri.
Sources said Jovian's testimony was crucial for verifying several documents relevant to the case.
He was reportedly interviewed in Jakarta, where he has resettled following the closure of his fashion business last year.
Azam said that the statement was taken in connection with the commission's probe into the former prime minister's asset ownership.
Ismail Sabri has been summoned several times by the MACC to assist in investigations into alleged corruption and money laundering, particularly in relation to the use of funds for the Keluarga Malaysia publicity campaign during his tenure from August 2021 to November 2022.
Azam previously said that the investigation began after Ismail Sabri was instructed to declare his assets under Section 36(1) of the MACC Act 2009.
The former prime minister submitted his asset declaratio n on Feb 10, and the MACC is currently analysing the source of the assets involved.
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