Ex-Malaysian PM Ismail Sabri pleads not guilty to asset declaration charge

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob pleaded not guilty on Thursday, August 27, 2026, to a charge of failing to declare assets worth tens of millions of dollars, becoming the country's third ex-leader to face criminal prosecution after leaving office. The 66-year-old appeared at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, where he entered his plea on a charge under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act. The charge alleges that Ismail Sabri failed to provide a complete declaration of assets to the MACC, as required by a notice issued in January 2025. According to the charge sheet, the undeclared holdings include approximately 40 million U.S.