KUALA LUMPUR — Former Malaysian prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is expected to appear before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Aug. 27 to face a charge under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, his lawyer said on Aug. 26.
The charge is believed to relate to the declaration of assets and is expected to be filed under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009. Ismail Sabri’s defence counsel, Amer Hamzah Arshad, confirmed that the Bera member of parliament would attend the proceedings at 9 a.m.
The hearing was originally scheduled for Aug. 7 but was postponed after Ismail Sabri was admitted to the National Heart Institute with a possible irregular heartbeat. He has since undergone a leadless pacemaker implantation procedure and is reportedly recovering.
Sessions Court Judge Suzana Hussin approved the postponement after the defence cited his health condition. The court is expected to read the charge and record his plea during Thursday’s proceedings.
The case follows several rounds of questioning by the MACC concerning Ismail Sabri’s asset declarations. Investigators previously seized RM170 million in foreign currency and 16 kilograms of gold bullion valued at about RM7 million during raids on residences and offices linked to the former prime minister and his senior aides.
Ismail Sabri remains on MACC bail, and his lawyer said there were no concerns that he would evade the proceedings. The former prime minister has not been convicted of any offence, and the charge remains subject to court proceedings.