KUALA LUMPUR, Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his ex-political secretary, Datuk Mohammad Anuar Mohd Yunus, have opted not to contest the prosecution’s bid to forfeit more than RM169 million in cash seized by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
MACC deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat informed the Sessions Court of their decision during case mention before Judge Suzana Hussin, noting that both respondents had conveyed their stance in a letter dated Aug 28.
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob 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 Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
“We are requesting that a third-party gazette under Section 41(2) of the MACC Act 2009 be issued for this application, and we will try to expedite the process,” he said.
Lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, representing both Ismail Sabri and Anuar, confirmed the contents of the letter and requested that his clients be excused from attending the proceedings, which the prosecution did not object to. The judge fixed Oct 1 for the next case mention. Mahadi later told Bernama that if no third-party claims are filed on that date, the RM169 million will be forfeited to the government.
The forfeiture bid, filed on July 7, covers cash in multiple currencies allegedly belonging to Ismail Sabri but held by Anuar. This includes RM14.77 million in ringgit, S$6.13 million, US$1.46 million, three million Swiss francs, €12.16 million, ¥363 million, £50,250, NZ$44,600, AED34.75 million, and A$352,850.
The application was made under Section 41(1) of the MACC Act 2009, after the commission determined that the funds were linked to an offence under Section 36(2) of the same act.
The MACC had previously questioned Ismail Sabri several times over his asset declarations. Investigators also seized RM170 million in cash across various currencies and 16kg of gold bars, estimated at RM7 million, during raids on “safe houses” linked to the case. The seizures were tied to a corruption and money laundering probe involving four of Ismail Sabri’s senior aides, who were arrested in February.
