MACC wins forfeiture of RM169m cash linked to ex-PM Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 — The government has successfully forfeited over RM169 million in cash allegedly belonging to former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The amount, seized by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), comprised multiple currencies including ringgit, Singapore dollar, Swiss franc, euro, Japanese yen, British pound, New Zealand dollar, and Australian dollar.

Sessions Court Judge Suzana Hussin ordered the money to be surrendered to the government after allowing Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat’s application, as no third party appeared to contest the forfeiture proceedings, Berita Harian reported.

On Sept 8, the court was informed that Ismail Sabri and his former political secretary Datuk Mohammad Anuar Mohd Yunus, both named as respondents, had no intention of challenging the prosecution’s bid to forfeit the cash.

Suzana ruled that since there were no objections and no third-party claims, the court allowed the forfeiture under Section 41(1) of the MACC Act.

Mahadi told the court that a federal government gazette notice had been issued on Sept 22 and filed through the e-judiciary system, with no third party making any claim to the assets.

According to the notice, MACC sought the order after determining that the seized cash, held by Mohammad Anuar, belonged to Ismail Sabri and was linked to an offence under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act, which concerns failure to declare assets.

In June, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the agency planned to seek forfeiture of about RM170 million in cash and 16 kilograms of gold bars worth nearly RM7 million, which were seized from premises including a safe house linked to corruption and money laundering investigations.