Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here on Thursday to a charge of failing to declare assets worth millions of ringgit, including RM14.7 million in cash, foreign currencies and gold bars last year.
The 66-year-old Umno leader entered the plea after the charge was read before Judge Suzana Hussin. Standing in the dock dressed in a black suit, Ismail Sabri said he understood the charge and requested a trial.
“I understand, plead not guilty and claim trial,” he said.
Ismail Sabri appeared calm throughout the proceedings and was accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Muhaini Zainal Abidin, three of their children, including singer Dafi, as well as several supporters.
According to the charge, Ismail Sabri allegedly deliberately submitted a written statement that failed to comply with the terms of a notice issued under Section 36(1)(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, dated Jan 7, 2025.
The alleged offence involved failing to declare the assets at the MACC headquarters in Precinct 7, Putrajaya, on Feb 7, 2025.
The assets listed in the charge included RM14,772,150 in cash, as well as SG$632,350, US$1,461,400, CHF3 million, EUR12,164,150, JPY363 million, GBP50,250, NZ$44,600, AE$34.75 million and AUD352,850.
Also included were five one-kilogramme Petak Suisse Fine Gold bars, a 100-gramme Petak Suisse Fine Silver bar and a five-gramme 999 Fine Gold coin.
The charge was brought under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009, which carries a maximum jail term of five years and a fine of up to RM100,000 upon conviction.
Ismail Sabri had previously been called in several times by MACC to have his statement recorded in connection with the asset declaration investigation.
During the probe, MACC also seized RM170 million in cash in various foreign currencies, along with 16 kilogrammes of pure gold bars estimated to be worth RM7 million.
The seizures were carried out during searches of a residence and an office believed to have been used as a “safe house”, following investigations into four of Ismail Sabri’s senior officers who were arrested in February 2025.
The case now moves into the trial process, where the prosecution will be required to establish its allegations against the former prime minister.
