MACC confiscates RM170m, 16kg of gold bars from Ismail Sabri's ex-aides

Summary

• MACC confiscates about RM170 million in various currencies from the homes and “safehouses” of former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s ex-aides.

• The graftbuster says 16kg of gold bars worth nearly RM7 million have also been seized.

MACC has confiscated about RM170 million in various currencies from the homes and “safehouses” of four former aides to former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The anti-graft agency also confiscated gold bars weighing 16kg, worth nearly RM7 million, from the locations, it said in a statement today.

“Following further investigations on the four individuals, the MACC conducted inspections at their homes and three other premises believed to be ‘safehouses’,” it added.

The currencies found included Thai baht, Saudi Arabian riyal, British pound sterling, South Korean won, euro, Swiss franc, and Chinese yuan.

The graftbuster had also identified another 10 witnesses who will soon be called to aid the investigation.

Probe into ‘Keluarga Malaysia’

Yesterday, the New Straits Times reported that Ismail Sabri was questioned as part of an investigation into government spending on the “Keluarga Malaysia” promotional campaign during his 14-month tenure.

According to the report, Ismail Sabri is expected to be recalled for further questioning, and that initial information had led to investigators identifying four of his former aides as persons of interest who needed to be questioned.

MACC, in its statement today, said that Ismail Sabri had been ordered to declare his assets in December last year, with the declaration made on Feb 10.

On Feb 23, a day after Ismail Sabri was admitted to the hospital over blood pressure-related health issues, it was reported that four officers linked to him had been remanded.

It was also reported that an MACC raid at a residence belonging to one of Ismail Sabri’s ex-staff members uncovered more than RM100 million in cash and valuables, including jewellery, stashed in bags and safes in several rooms.

The investigation is being carried out under Section 16A of the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

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