PUTRAJAYA, Sept 9 — Almost RM170 million in cash seized by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and believed to be linked to former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, has now been officially forfeited to the government.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the matter following Ismail's decision not to contest the prosecution’s forfeiture application.
“This means the funds are now legally owned by the government. The process of transferring the money into the Consolidated Fund begins today and should be completed soon,” he told a press conference today.
Yesterday, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court was informed that Ismail and his former political secretary Datuk Mohammad Anuar Mohd Yunus will not challenge the prosecution’s application to forfeit more than RM169 million in cash seized by the MACC.
MACC Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Mahadi Abdul Jumaat informed the court, presided by Judge Suzana Hussin, that both respondents had submitted a letter dated August 28 through their legal counsel, stating their position on the matter.
Meanwhile, Azam also clarified that the DPP has yet to decide on whether any party will face criminal charges in connection with the case.
“The first step was to secure the forfeiture of the seized cash. I never said we will never or not going to charge him (Ismail Sabri) in court, I leave it to DPP to decide whether to charge him or not, let's see their suggestions first,” he said, in response to questions on whether legal action would be taken against the former premier.
Pressed on a possible timeline, Azam stressed that MACC, as an investigative body, has no authority over the timeline or decisions made by the public prosecutor’s office.
“As investigators, we have no control over the DPP’s schedule or when they decide on a particular case. Naturally, the DPP operates under the Attorney-General and follows internal policies and timelines, which depend on the complexity of each case,” he said.
On July 7, MACC applied to forfeit over RM169 million in cash allegedly belonging to Ismail, seized from Anuar, to the Malaysian government.
The application was made under Section 41(1) of the MACC Act 2009 after the commission was satisfied that the money kept by Anuar belonged to Ismail and was linked to an offence under Section 36(2) of the same Act.
The cash includes RM14,772,150, SG$6,132,350, US$1,461,400, three million Swiss francs, €12,164,150, ¥363,000,000, £50,250, NZ$44,600, 34,750,000 in UAE dirhams, and AU$352,850.
Additionally, MACC seized 16kg of pure gold bullion, estimated to be worth RM7 million, as part of the ongoing corruption and money laundering probe involving the Bera MP.
The raids that led to the discovery of the cash and gold were carried out at several premises, including private residences and offices believed to be used as “safe houses”, following investigations into four of Ismail's senior aides, who were detained earlier in February.
