MACC completes probe into Ismail Sabri, to file forfeiture bid over RM170m linked to former PM
PUTRAJAYA, June 25 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today announced plans to file a forfeiture application involving RM170 million in connection with its corruption and money laundering investigation into former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the investigation has concluded, and the commission is awaiting further action from the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP).
'This case has been completed and is now with the deputy public prosecutor. Based on the information I've received, the DPP has agreed to file the application, possibly within the next two weeks.
'This allows time to prepare the necessary affidavits and documents for the forfeiture of, firstly, the RM170 million I previously mentioned, which was obtained. It is up to Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri if he wishes to challenge our application,' he said at a press conference at MACC headquarters here today.
Azam added that no decision has been made regarding criminal charges, as MACC is still waiting for further direction from the DPP.
Asked when the Bera MP might be charged, Azam said the commission is optimistic that the next steps could take about a month.
'I believe within the next month or so, the DPP will come to a decision. I have also urged the DPP not to take too long, as this is a matter of public interest,' he said.
Previously, Ismail Sabri was summoned seven times by MACC to assist in the investigation.
The probe centres on alleged corruption and money laundering involving the expenditure and acquisition of funds for the promotion and publicity of the Keluarga Malaysia programme during his tenure as the ninth prime minister from August 2021 to November 2022.
The case is being investigated under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
On March 3, Azam revealed that Ismail Sabri is a suspect in the corruption and money laundering investigation. During an MACC raid, approximately RM170 million in cash in various currencies and 16 kilogrammes of gold bars were discovered in a 'safe house.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
17 minutes ago
- The Sun
Felda Land scheme officer charged with cheating senior citizen
SEREMBAN: A Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) Land Scheme officer pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here today to a charge of cheating a senior citizen in relation to repair works at a rubber collection centre two years ago. Eddy Khirin Bunaim, 45, entered the plea after the charge was read before Judge Darmafikri Abu Adam. He is accused of deceiving a 68-year-old man into signing a Felda Lui Selatan 1 Village Development and Security Committee cheque, supposedly for a RM12,000 payment to a supplier. The payment was purportedly intended as an advance for repair works at the Felda Lui Selatan 1 and 2 Rubber Collection Centres, even though the said supplier had not been appointed to carry out the works. The offence was allegedly committed at a bank branch in Bahau on March 16, 2023. He was charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which carries a sentence of between one and ten years' imprisonment, with caning, and a fine upon conviction. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) prosecuting officer Zainab Yahaya proposed bail at RM15,000, with an additional condition requiring the accused to report to the nearest MACC office monthly until the conclusion of the trial. The accused, who was unrepresented, appealed for minimal bail on the grounds that he is the sole provider for four school-going children and is currently pursuing further studies. The court allowed bail at RM5,000 with one surety and imposed the additional conditions. The case has been fixed for mention on August 14.
The Sun
17 minutes ago
- The Sun
MACC probes alleged misuse of RM12 mln involving Sapura Energy
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is investigating the alleged misuse of RM12 million, believed to be linked to two cases involving the oil and gas solutions provider Sapura Energy Bhd. Its Chief Commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki said in the first case, statements from 15 witnesses have been recorded, but no arrests have been made so far. He said that the MACC has also frozen assets or properties belonging to a director of Sapura Petroleum and his family, as well as two luxury homes valued at RM5.5 million owned by the company's chief executive officer (CEO). 'In this first case, the investigation is ongoing, and we are determining whether the RM12 million constitutes an offence under Section 23 of the MACC Act,' he said at a press conference held at the MACC headquarters here today. Azam said the incident took place in 2018, during a time when Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) injected funds into Sapura Energy, thereby making it a government-linked company (GLC). 'When we say a GLC, it means the government has a stake in it. Therefore, any misuse of funds will fall under offences stipulated in our act, namely Section 23 of the MACC Act or possibly other offences under the Penal Code,' he said. Azam said the second case involves allegations of bribery by a foreign party to a CEO in 2011 in an attempt to secure a project owned by Sapura Energy. 'This bribery case involves a total of USD 3.3 million (RM14 million). At the time, the company was known as Sapura Crest, under Sapura Energy. A subcontract was awarded to a foreign company in Brazil. The payment was made by an agent and routed through a (foreign) country, via the Netherlands and channelled through Singapore', he said. He said that the MACC has to submit multiple requests for Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) to relevant countries to obtain further information. 'In this second case, I anticipate that the process will take a considerable amount of time due to the involvement of foreign legal jurisdictions,' he also said. 'We need to provide much more information to them (the two cases), and after we receive the necessary data, we will proceed with investigations within our country,' he added. In March, the MACC initiated two investigation papers regarding alleged bribery and embezzlement involving Sapura Energy Bhd. The investigations stem from the MACC's preliminary findings at the end of 2023, which involved claims related to the company. The MACC said the two investigation papers were opened to investigate activities related to money laundering and embezzlement from around 2018 when the company was formerly known as Sapura Kencana Petroleum Bhd.
New Straits Times
32 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
NGO chairman remanded over suspected involvement in money laundering
PUTRAJAYA: A non-governmental organisation (NGO) chairman has been remanded by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on suspicion of money laundering through proceeds from corruption. It is learnt that the suspect allegedly engaged in money laundering involving the receipt, transfer and use of illicit funds through his personal and company bank accounts, as well as those belonging to relatives and associates. Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin granted a four-day remand order until June 28 following an application by the MACC at the magistrate's court here this morning. According to a source, the male suspect, in his 30s, was arrested at about 2.30pm yesterday when he presented himself at the MACC headquarters to give a statement. "The suspect is believed to have committed the offences between 2015 and 2025. He was previously remanded in a case investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 for abuse of power and misappropriation of NGO funds at his workplace," the source said. Meanwhile, MACC Anti-Money Laundering Division director Norhaizam Muhammad, when contacted, confirmed the arrest. She said the case is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA 2001).
