PUTRAJAYA (March 3): Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is a “suspect” in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) probe into the RM700 million funds spent under the “Keluarga Malaysia” promotion campaign, according to MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
Azam said Ismail Sabri is considered a suspect given his close association with the RM177 million cash (in various currencies) and gold, as well as other valuables such as jewellery and luxury watches of undetermined value, that the MACC announced on Sunday it had seized following a raid on “safe houses” linked to his former aides.
“In this matter, I can say that he (Ismail Sabri) is a suspect in this case, because firstly, Section 36 [of the MACC Act] was provided to him for him to declare his assets, and secondly, when the cash was found, he was among those associated, so we must get his clarification on the discovery of the cash found,” Azam told a press conference at the anti-graft body’s headquarters here on Monday.
WATCH: Ismail Sabri a ‘suspect’ in RM700mil corruption case
The RM177 million worth of cash and valuables were confiscated by the MACC from one of four safe houses it raided on Feb 21. On the same day, four senior officers who served under the former prime minister were arrested, after the agency received new information and intelligence reports.
Keluarga Malaysia was a concept introduced by Ismail Sabri in August 2021 during his inaugural speech as the prime minister. The idea was to encourage Malaysians to put aside their differences and work together to rebuild the nation, following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ismail Sabri to give statement again on WednesdayOn Monday, Azam said only RM14 million of the cash seized was in ringgit, while the remainder was in foreign currencies.
The seized cash and gold bars seen arrayed alongside heily armed guards at the MACC press conference on Monday.
Ismail Sabri had declared his assets on Feb 10 and provided his statement to the MACC on Feb 19, said Azam. Azam said the former prime minister will be called in again on Wednesday to he another statement recorded.
However, this will be subject to his health condition, Azam said, noting that Ismail Sabri had, a day after the raids on Feb 22, collapsed at home and subsequently hospitalised for blood pressure-related problems, according to news reports.
The investigation into the funds spent under Keluarga Malaysia’s promotional campaign was opened back in early 2024, under the MACC Act, according to Azam.
A separate investigation paper has now been opened under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA), said the MACC chief, following the asset seizure.
“My officers will immediately conduct a detailed investigation to trace other assets and undertake financial tracing [of the confiscated assets],” he said.
Azam displaying the seized cash and items.
Under the Keluarga Malaysia probe, the MACC has recorded statements from 31 witnesses, while 10 more witnesses are slated to be called to provide statements.
Besides the confiscated cash and gold, 13 bank accounts with a total of RM2 million in them belonging to undisclosed individuals he also been frozen.
According to Azam, neither Ismail Sabri nor Keluarga Malaysia’s bank accounts he been frozen.
Read also: MACC confiscates RM170m cash, RM7m worth of gold bars from Ismail Sabri's ex-aides