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FORMER prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's charge reading and plea recording have been deferred to August 27 after he was admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) today.
It was earlier reported that the Bera MP was to be charged at the Sessions Court today under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act in connection with investigations into his asset declarations.
Sessions Court Judge Suzana Hussin fixed the date after the prosecution did not object to the defence's request for the matter to be postponed on humanitarian grounds.
Earlier, the proceedings began with the prosecution informing that the charge against Ismail Sabri had been filed along with an appendix, which is part of the charge.
A copy of the charge was also handed over to the defence.
However, the prosecution informed that the accused was unable to appear in court today before the defence explained the former Prime Minister's health condition.
The court was informed that Ismail Sabri began experiencing health problems while at the MACC headquarters yesterday for investigation-related matters.
At that time, he was accompanied by his lawyer before the MACC was informed of the situation, and he was rushed to the IJN for treatment that same evening.
According to the defence, after being admitted to the IJN, they obtained confirmation from the doctor treating Ismail Sabri's health condition.
The court was also informed that the defence contacted their client again this morning and was told that Ismail Sabri was scheduled to undergo a medical procedure at 2 pm.
The defence said that based on information from the IJN, the Bera MP is expected to be placed in the ward for a few days after the procedure to allow for further monitoring.
Following this, the defence requested that the charge reading and plea recording proceedings be postponed to another date as the client's health condition does not allow him to appear in court.
The prosecution stated that it did not object to the application on humanitarian grounds and agreed to a new date be set after he was discharged from the hospital and was ready to appear in court.
After hearing the arguments of both parties, Judge Suzana allowed the application and set August 27 at 9 am for the proceedings.
The former prime minister had previously been called in several times by the MACC to provide statements regarding the declaration of his assets.
The anti-corruption agency has also seized RM170 million in cash in various foreign currencies and 16 kilogrammes of gold bullion worth an estimated RM7 million as part of its investigation into alleged corruption and money laundering.
The seizures were made during searches of properties believed to have served as "safe houses" following the arrest of four of Ismail Sabri's former senior officers in February 2025. - August 7, 2026
