THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is expected to record a statement from former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri at 10am this Thursday.
Its chief Tan Sri Azam Baki said medical leave for the Bera member of parliament expires tomorrow.
"If he does not appear at the office on Thursday, we need to know what the reasons are.
"The MACC has to date recorded statements from 36 people as part of its investigation into corruption and money laundering allegations involving Ismail Sabri.
“As far as I know as of now, we have not gotten any information from the investigation officers or his doctor about his condition. So, I assume he will be coming to get his statement recorded,” he said in Kota Kinabalu City Hall today.
It remains uncertain whether he will be fit to attend the questioning, with sources saying his doctor has yet to confirm his health status.
Azam said MACC is monitoring Ismail Sabri’s condition but expects him to attend as scheduled.
He said MACC previously did not pressure the former prime minister as he was on medical leave, but now expects his cooperation unless a new medical report states otherwise.
It was earlier reported that MACC has recorded statements from 36 individuals and frozen 13 bank accounts linked to the case, amounting to over RM2 million.
The commission has also seized cash in various currencies and 16 kilograms of gold bullion, collectively valued at nearly RM40 million.
Azam dismissed claims circulating on social media that MACC had seized RM170 million in cash, calling such allegations misleading.
“I read a report saying MACC took RM170 million. How could we possibly have taken all that money?” he said.
He also rejected allegations that the investigation was politically motivated or selective.
“There is no selective investigation. We conduct all our probes professionally and impartially,” he added.
The investigation, which focuses on alleged mismanagement of government funds during Ismail Sabri’s tenure from August 2021 to November 2022, has also led to raids at multiple locations and the detention of several senior officials.
The former prime minister is the third Malaysian leader to be investigated for corruption, following similar probes into his predecessors. - March 11, 2025
