Up to AGC whether to charge Ismail Sabri after monies forfeited.
More than RM169 million in cash seized from former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his former political secretary, Mohammad Anuar, now belongs to the government after they chose not to contest the prosecution’s forfeiture application.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that the funds would be transferred into the consolidated fund, saying the process began today and would soon be reflected in the government’s account.
However, Azam said the Deputy Public Prosecutor has yet to decide whether to press charges against any party. “That’s up to the DPP’s decision. As for now, they agreed to forfeit the money,” he said.
According to Bernama, MACC filed the forfeiture application on July 7 under Section 41(1) of the MACC Act 2009 after concluding the money, held by Mohammad Anuar, belonged to Ismail Sabri and was linked to an offence under Section 36(2) of the same Act.
The seized assets include RM14,772,150; SGD6,132,350; USD1,461,400; CHF3 million; EUR12,164,150; JPY363,000,000; GBP50,250; NZD44,600; AED34,750,000; and AUD352,850. Additionally, 16kg of pure gold bullion, estimated at RM7 million, was confiscated as part of the corruption and money laundering probe involving the Bera MP.
The raids that uncovered the cash and gold were carried out at several locations, including private residences and offices used as “safe houses”, during investigations into four of Ismail Sabri’s senior aides detained earlier in February.
The Sessions Court was informed yesterday that both Ismail Sabri and Mohammad Anuar would not oppose the forfeiture.