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. dollars spread across nine currencies, as well as bars of gold and silver. Specific amounts listed include 14.77 million ringgit, 6.13 million Singapore dollars, 1.46 million U.S. dollars, 3 million Swiss francs, 12.16 million euros, 363 million Japanese yen, 50,250 Canadian dollars, 44,600 New Zealand dollars, 34.75 million UAE dirhams, and 352,850 Australian dollars, along with five Suisse fine gold bars.

The case stems from a broader investigation by the MACC into alleged corruption and money laundering tied to government...