TWO individuals with the title 'Datuk' were among four senior officers of former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
The four were arrested to assist in further investigations into several cases linked to corruption during Ismail Sabri's administration.
Sources said the arrest was made by the MACC under Section 16a of the MACC Act and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA).
"Three of them were remanded until this Tuesday while a woman who was also an assistant to a Datuk was released today," said the source.
It is learnt that several cases are currently being investigated by the MACC, including one involving government fund expenditures amounting to RM700 million for promotional and publicity purposes.
The remand order was issued by Magistrate Irza Zulaikha.
Ismail Sabri served as the ninth prime minister from 2021 to 2022.
It was previously reported that a former prime minister and individuals who served as his aides during his tenure were among "no less than four individuals" that the MACC would call in for questioning over the matter.
The investigations were after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed in the Dewan Rakyat in November 2023 that RM700 million had been spent since 2020 to promote the government.
Three PMs during 2020 - 2022 period
Malaysia had three prime ministers during the 2020-2022 period, namely Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who served from May 2018 up until February 2020, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin from February 2020 to August 2021, and Ismail Sabri from August 2021 to November 2022.
Reports then circulated that the former prime minister was Ismail Sabri.
The MACC said one former prime minister would be called to assist the investigation which would centre on how government funds were spent, and which companies received the funding.
Anwar had said the bulk of the spending was handled by the Prime Minister’s Office for advertisements and media buys to promote government initiatives.
He said RM500 million was spent during Muhyiddn’s tenure, and that this included promoting the government’s Covid-19 initiatives.
He said the balance RM200 million was used during Ismail Sabri’s administration.
“This means that, on average, over RM300 million per year was expended on advertising, promotion and publicity to publicise the government’s efforts.
"I personally believe these breached rules and regulations, showing excessive spending,” Anwar was reported as saying at the time. – February 23, 2025
