KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 — Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s pacemaker implantation procedure this afternoon at the National Heart Institute (IJN) was carried out successfully, his lawyer has confirmed.

When contacted by Malay Mail, Ismail Sabri’s lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad confirmed that “the procedure went smoothly and was successful”.

“Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri is stable but remains in the CCU for close monitoring,” he said, referring to IJN’s Coronary Care Unit by its initials.

IJN later said Ismail Sabri had successfully undergone a leadless pacemaker implantation procedure for an abnormal heart rhythm this afternoon.

The institute said he had been advised to rest following the procedure, with visits limited to close family members to support his recovery and ensure his privacy.

IJN also asked the media and public to respect the privacy of Ismail Sabri and his family during this period, adding that further updates would be issued through authorised channels where appropriate.

Ismail Sabri was initially expected to be charged at the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur today under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act, reportedly in relation to asset declaration.

But this morning, the Sessions Court decided to allow Ismail Sabri’s request, made through his lawyers, to postpone the reading of the charge against him to August 27 due to health reasons, as the prosecution did not object.

Amer Hamzah had informed the court that Ismail Sabri had been admitted to IJN and warded there since yesterday, after Ismail Sabri experienced health issues while having his statement recorded at the MACC headquarters.

Amer Hamzah said that the doctor in charge had confirmed that Ismail Sabri had “possible arrhythmia that requires further investigation.”

The lawyer had also said that Ismail Sabri would undergo a pacemaker procedure this afternoon and would need to remain warded after the procedure, before proposing the August 27 date.

In court, the prosecution cited “humanitarian grounds” when it did not object to the application to postpone the case to August 27, as Ismail Sabri could not appear in court due to his health condition and as he is under MACC bail.

Bera MP Ismail Sabri, 66, is a former Umno vice-president and was Malaysia’s ninth prime minister from August 2021 to October 2022.