MACC confirms former PM Ismail Sabri is a suspect in RM170m graft probe

PUTRAJAYA, March 3 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirmed today that former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri is one of the key suspects in an ongoing corruption investigation involving hundreds of millions of ringgit in government funds.

This marks the first time the anti-graft body had named the Bera MP and Umno leader as a suspect.

"In this matter I can state that he is a suspect,” Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki told reporters here, referring to Ismail Sabri.

The MACC revealed last month that it is probing allegations of power abuse and embezzlement of public money used to fund the Ismail administration’s publicity drive, leading to the arrest of four aides to Ismail.

The agency did not clarify then if the former prime minister is a witness or was directly involved.

“Because first Section 36 of the MACC Act had been served to him. Secondly, when all this cash was seized, he was one of the individuals said to be involved,” Azam added.

The MACC revealed last month that it is probing allegations of power abuse and embezzlement of public money used to fund the Ismail administration’s publicity drive, leading to the arrest of four aides to Ismail.

The agency did not clarify then whether the former prime minister was a witness or was directly involved.

To date, up to 13 accounts have been frozen as part of the investigation that is expected to call in Ismail again for questioning, the MACC chief said. Ismail is expected to appear at the MACC office on Wednesday.

The investigation is being carried out under Section 16A of the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

Last week, the Bera MP had already had his statement recorded and recently listed his assets following the agency’s instruction. Azam did not disclose details of the asset declaration but said the MACC has yet to freeze Ismail’s account.

“We want to try to conclude the investigation quickly given currencies fluctuate, so we expect to call in more witnesses for questioning. We expect to call 10 more witnesses and some of them have been called in and maybe we can do this week or by the next few weeks,” Azam said.

Azam said the RM170 million in cash and up to RM7 million in gold bars were confiscated from one of the flats raided last week, which the MACC chief believed to be used as safe houses.

The flat where the cash and gold bars were found, all kept in three safes, was rented by a suspected proxy, he said.