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FORMER Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has been admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN), casting uncertainty over his scheduled appearance at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Friday.
Sources familiar with the matter said prosecutors are expected to apply for the proceedings to be conducted at IJN, subject to the approval of the court and the advice of the former premier's attending doctors.
"It depends on the doctor's advice," a source said. Another source close to Ismail Sabri confirmed his admission to IJN and said the prosecution was preparing to seek the court's permission for the plea to be taken at the hospital.
"The latest (of what I know) is the plea is most likely to be taken at IJN. We are not sure of the time. For now, the DPP has to make the application for the plea to be taken at IJN but it is up to the judge to decide," The Star quoted the source saying.
Members of the media gathered on Friday morning at both the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex and outside IJN as they awaited developments.
Court records indicate the case had originally been fixed for mention before Sessions Court Judge Suzana Hussin at 9am.
Ismail Sabri, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bera, is expected to be charged under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act in connection with investigations into his asset declarations.
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
