Ex-Malaysian PM Ismail Sabri Named Corruption Suspect, SPRM Uncovers Millions in Cash and Gold

SEAToday.com, Kuala Lumpur - Former Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has officially been named a suspect in a corruption case involving the alleged misuse of promotional and publicity funds during his tenure. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) revealed that he is suspected of misappropriating funds for the Keluarga Malaysia program.

SPRM Chairman Tan Sri Azam Baki stated that Ismail Sabri has been charged under Section 36 (1) of the 2009 SPRM Act regarding asset declaration. During a raid on a condominium, authorities discovered a sum of money believed to be linked to him. If confirmed to be his, Ismail Sabri will be required to provide clarification.

Additionally, SPRM searched several other locations, including a private residence, and found approximately 170 million ringgit (around IDR 626 billion) in various foreign currencies, along with 16 kilograms of gold bars worth nearly 7 million ringgit.

The raids followed the detention of four senior officials from Ismail Sabri's administration. The anti-corruption agency began investigating the case in early 2024, focusing on allegations of corruption in a promotional and publicity project valued at 700 million ringgit (around IDR 2.6 trillion).

So far, 31 witnesses have been questioned. In November 2024, SPRM also requested Ismail Sabri and another individual to declare their assets. He submitted his asset report on February 10 and was questioned by SPRM on February 19.

SPRM plans to summon Ismail Sabri again on Wednesday (3/5) and will call around 10 more witnesses over the next two weeks. A bank account containing 2 million ringgit suspected to be linked to the case has been frozen, though Ismail Sabri’s personal accounts have not yet been frozen as investigations are ongoing.

Ismail Sabri served as Malaysia’s Prime Minister from 2021 to 2022, succeeding Muhyiddin Yassin, who resigned.