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THE Sessions Court has fixed 1 October to hear the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) application to forfeit over RM169 million in cash and foreign currency allegedly linked to former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Judge Suzana Hussin set the date following a request by defence counsel Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, representing Ismail Sabri and his former political secretary Datuk Mohammad Anuar Mohd Yunus, who said they required more time to review and respond to the application.
The court has instructed the defence to file a reply affidavit on or before 13 August, while the MACC must file its response by 3 September.
Deputy public prosecutors Ifa Sirrhu Samsudin and Alis Izzati Azurin Rusdi appeared for the prosecution, while lawyer Ragunath Kesavan also represented Ismail Sabri and Mohammad Anuar during the proceedings.
The anti-graft body is seeking a court order under Section 41(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 to forfeit the funds seized from Mohammad Anuar, which MACC contends belong to Ismail Sabri and are connected to an offence under Section 36(2) of the same Act.
The funds in question span several currencies, including RM14,772,150; SG$6,132,350; US$1,461,400; CHF3 million; EUR12,164,150; JPY363,000,000; GBP£50,250; NZ\$44,600; AED34,750,000; and AUD352,850.
On 3 July, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki told a press conference that the agency intended to pursue court action to forfeit RM170 million in seized assets tied to the case.
Ismail Sabri, currently Member of Parliament for Bera, has reportedly been called in several times for interviews concerning his asset declarations submitted to MACC.
Investigations led to the seizure of over RM170 million in cash across multiple foreign currencies, including the Baht, Riyal, Euro, Pound Sterling, Swiss Franc, Won, and Yuan. Additionally, 16 kilograms of pure gold bars worth an estimated RM7 million were confiscated.
These items were seized during raids at premises believed to be ‘safe houses’, following investigations into four senior aides of the former prime minister who were detained in February this year. - July 22, 2025