The defence team representing former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob plans to file an application challenging the charge against him for allegedly failing to comply with a notice requiring him to declare assets, including gold bars and foreign currencies.
His lawyer, Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, said the application would be based on several legal issues after the defence reviewed documents obtained from the prosecution.
He made the disclosure after the case was mentioned before judge Suzana Hussin today.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ifa Sirrhu Samsudin told the court that the prosecution had handed over part of the documents to the defence, including five volumes of documents prepared under Section 36 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.
The documents included seized items and records relating to assets declared by Ismail Sabri.
Following submissions from both sides, Suzana fixed December 4 for the next case mention.
Ismail Sabri is accused of knowingly providing a written statement that failed to comply with the terms of a notice issued under Section 36(1)(a) of the MACC Act 2009, dated January 7, 2025.
The notice was served on him by an MACC commissioner on January 10, 2025, requiring him to declare his assets at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on February 7, 2025.
The assets listed in the charge include five gold bars, a piece of silver and a gold coin, as well as RM14.7 million in cash.
The foreign currencies listed include S$6.1 million, US$1.5 million, CHF3 million, €12.16 million, ¥363 million, £50,250, NZD44,600, AED34.7 million and A$352,850.
The charge was brought under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009, which carries a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of up to RM100,000 upon conviction.
Ismail Sabri has previously been called in several times to have his statement recorded over asset declarations made to the MACC.
The anti-graft agency also seized RM170 million in cash in various foreign currencies and 16kg of pure gold bars estimated to be worth RM7 million as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and money laundering involving him.
The seizures were made during searches of residences and an office believed to have been used as a “safe house”, following an investigation involving four senior officers linked to Ismail Sabri who were detained in February 2025.
