PETALING JAYA: Four officers linked to former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob have been remanded over allegations of money laundering and corruption, said to involve millions of ringgit.
It is learnt that the four – two of them with the title of ‘Datuk’ – were summoned to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Putrajaya on Thursday to have their statements recorded.
Sources familiar with the investigation said three of the suspects held senior positions at the Prime Minister’s Office during Ismail Sabri’s tenure.
The position of the fourth suspect remains unclear.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that the individuals were being investigated for alleged money laundering and corruption.
“I can confirm that this is the premise of our investigation involving these individuals,” he said when contacted.
However, he did not offer further details, including the exact amount of money involved in the case.
“All I can say is a lot of money is involved, by the millions.
“My officers are still investigating the case. There are a lot of areas and aspects that they need to cover and look into.
“I hope the MACC is given space and time to conduct an investigation without any speculation,” he added.
The individuals were brought before magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin on Friday, who allowed MACC’s application for them to be held.
Three of them were remanded for five days until tomorrow while the other suspect, who was remanded for three days, was released yesterday.
Ismail Sabri, the country’s ninth prime minister, had served from August 2021 to November 2022.
On Saturday, the 65-year-old was hospitalised after he fainted at his home due to hypertension.
He was reported to be in stable condition and had regained consciousness.
According to his aide, Ismail Sabri remains in hospital as doctors have him under observation.
Meanwhile, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he is leaving it to the anti-corruption agency to carry out the investigation.
“We are confident that MACC will carry out all legal procedures and complete its investigation,” he told reporters after officiating Sabah Umno’s 34th anniversary celebrations in Tawau yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid also stressed that there is a need to maintain fairness throughout the investigation by MACC.
“We hope they will carry out the probe fairly and with credibility. It has always been a benchmark, especially for MACC, to uphold its integrity,” he added.
Ahmad Zahid, who is on an official work trip in Sabah, said he has yet to visit Ismail Sabri.
He said he would visit the Umno vice-president at hospital when he returns to Kuala Lumpur.
