Former Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is preparing to challenge the validity of a criminal charge alleging that he failed to properly declare assets worth millions of ringgit, putting the case on a new legal track.
Ismail Sabri’s lawyer, Amer Hamzah Arshad, said on September 29 that the defence had identified legal issues concerning the charge and plans to file an application after reviewing additional documents from prosecutors.
“We will also challenge the validity of the charge,” Amer said, according to The Straits Times.
The development came during a case mention at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, where prosecutors handed the defence part of the documents connected to the case, including material relating to forfeited assets and Ismail Sabri’s asset declaration.
The court set December 4 for the next mention and directed prosecutors to provide the remaining documents to the defence beforehand.
What Is Ismail Sabri Accused Of?
Ismail Sabri, who served as Malaysia’s prime minister from 2021 to 2022, pleaded not guilty on August 27 to a charge under Section 36(2) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
Prosecutors allege that he intentionally provided a written statement that did not comply with a notice requiring him to declare specified assets.
The assets listed in the charge included RM14.77 million in Malaysian currency, along with substantial amounts in Singapore dollars, US dollars, Swiss francs, euros, Japanese yen, British pounds, New Zealand dollars, UAE dirhams and Australian dollars. The charge also involves gold bars.
The alleged offence is said to have occurred at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters in Putrajaya on February 7, 2025.
Defence Questions the Charge
The defence has not simply accepted the prosecution’s case.
Amer said the legal team needs to examine the full set of documents before deciding exactly what application to file. He previously raised concerns about the propriety and legality of the charge when Ismail Sabri first appeared in court.
The prosecution, meanwhile, has continued providing documents to the defence as the case moves forward.
The dispute is therefore moving beyond the question of what assets were allegedly not declared and toward a legal question over whether the charge itself is valid.
What Could Happen Next?
The immediate focus will be on the defence application and the remaining documents expected to be disclosed before the December 4 hearing.
If convicted under Section 36(2), Ismail Sabri could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to RM100,000. He has pleaded not guilty, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
For now, the former prime minister’s legal challenge could become a significant turning point in the case—potentially determining whether the prosecution proceeds on the existing charge or faces a further legal challenge.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
