Ex-PM Ismail Sabri charged with failure to declare assets to MACC; pleads not guilty

Ex-PM Ismail Sabri charged with failure to declare assets to MACC; pleads not guilty



Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob claimed trial after the charge, made under Section 36(2) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, was read out to him. — Picture by Firdaus Latif


Summary

• Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri was charged with failing to declare his assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
• He pleaded not guilty to charges of not declaring various local and foreign currencies and gold bars.
• If convicted under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act, he faces up to five years in jail and a RM100,000 fine.

By Kenneth Tee
First Published: Thursday, 27 Aug 2026 10:01 AM MYT
Last Modified: Thursday, 27 Aug 2026 10:04 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 — Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was charged today with failing to declare his assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

The 66-year-old pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court.

He is accused of failing to declare local and nine foreign currencies, as well as five gold bars (Suisse Fine Gold).


Among the currencies allegedly not declared were RM14.7 million, S$6 million, US$1.46 million, three million Swiss francs, €12.2 million, ¥363 million, £50,250, NZ$44,600, 34.8 million dirhams and A$352,850.


He claimed trial after the charge, made under Section 36(2) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, was read out to him.

Section 36(2) covers the offence of wilfully neglecting or failing to comply with the terms of a notice issued by the MACC to give a written statement on oath or affirmation on their assets.

If convicted, he can be punished with a maximum five-year jail term and a maximum fine of RM100,000.


Ismail was accused of having on February 7, 2025 at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya, willfully given a written statement on oath that did not comply with the terms of a MACC notice dated January 7 the same year that was served on him on January 10.

MORE TO COME