KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has claimed trial to a charge of failing to declare assets, including RM14.7mil in cash, millions in various foreign currencies, as well as gold bars.
The 66-year-old Bera MP pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Sessions Court judge Suzana Hussin here.
“I understand (the charge). I plead not guilty and claim trial,” he said as he stood in the dock yesterday.
Ismail Sabri is accused of intentionally providing a written statement that failed to comply with the terms of a notice issued under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 (Act 694) on Jan 7, 2025, by not declaring his assets as listed in an appendix.
The assets in question were cash in ringgit (RM14,772,150); Singaporean dollars (S$6,132,350); American dollars (US$1,461,400); Swiss-Franc (CHF3,000,000); Euro (€12,164,150; Japanese Yen (¥363,000,000); British pounds (£50,250); NZ dollars (NZ$44,600); Emirati dirham (AED34,750,000); and Australian dollars (A$352,850).
Also included were five gold bars weighing 1kg each, a silver bar weighing 100g and a gold coin weighing 5g.
Ismail Sabri allegedly committed the offence at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Feb 7, 2025.
The charge was framed under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act which carries a maximum five years’ jail term and a fine of up to RM100,000.
Deputy public prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan initially did not offer bail but later proposed bail at RM500,000 in one surety if the court decides to use its discretion in granting bail.
“The court must consider the high amount of money involved in this case, not including the foreign currencies and gold bars. This case involves a high profile political figure, hence we propose bail at RM500,000 in one surety and apply to the court to impound the accused’s passport,” she said.
Lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, however, objected saying that the amount both parties had agreed on earlier was RM100,000.
“Why did the amount change?” he asked.
The lawyer also argued that there was no need for the court to impound Ismail Sabri’s passport as there was no real evidence to show the former prime minister was a flight risk.
“We are here to answer the charge, we are here to clear the name of Ismail Sabri,” Amer Hamzah added.
DPP Farah Ezlin insisted there was no mala fide or bad faith from the prosecution.
“If any, that would be a heavy and hard burden for the defence to prove (mala fide). The amount (RM500,000) is sufficient to ensure his attendance in court.”
Judge Suzana then fixed bail at RM300,000 in one surety and dismissed the prosecution’s application regarding the passport.
“The bailor must be a family member. The application for the passport to be surrendered to the court is not allowed as there is no evidence of a flight risk,” she said.
Ismail Sabri’s son posted bail. The case is fixed for mention on Sept 29.
