KUALA LUMPUR, September 29 2026, Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is seeking to challenge the charge against him for allegedly failing to declare assets, including RM14.7 million in cash, foreign currencies and gold bars.
His lawyer, Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, said the defence would file the application after receiving and studying the relevant documents from the prosecution.
“There are some legal issues that we will raise. We will also challenge the validity of the charge,” he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex today.
During the case mention, deputy public prosecutor Ifa Sirrhu Samsudin informed Sessions Court judge Suzana Hussin that the prosecution had handed over part of the documents to the defence, including documents relating to the forfeiture proceedings and Ismail Sabri’s asset declaration.
The prosecution requested more time to submit the remaining documents and witness list.
Amer Hamzah confirmed that the defence had received some of the documents and requested that the outstanding materials be handed over before the next mention.
The court fixed Dec 4 for further mention.
Ismail Sabri, 66, was charged on Aug 27 under Section 36(2) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 with allegedly failing to comply with a notice requiring him to declare specified assets.
The alleged undeclared assets included RM14.77 million, as well as millions of dollars in Singapore, US, Swiss, European, Japanese, British, New Zealand, UAE and Australian currencies, along with five gold bars.
If convicted, the offence carries a maximum five-year jail term and a fine of up to RM100,000.
-TheStar
