Former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is a suspect in MACC’s investigation into government spending on the "Keluarga Malaysia" promotional campaign, said MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki.
He told the press that they will summon the Bera MP again on Wednesday for statement recording, where investigators will question him about over RM177 million in cash and gold seized from a safehouse in the Klang Valley.
“Ismail Sabri is a suspect in this case. Because (a notice under) Section 36 of the MACC Act has been served against him, and he was one of the individuals being linked to the cash discovered," Azam said at a press conference at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya today.
Section 36 stipulates the power of MACC to order a person under investigation to declare their assets.
Azam said the interview with Ismail Sabri, however, would also depend on the former prime minister's health condition.
According to Azam, investigators have interviewed a total of 31 individuals so far over the case, including several other politicians, but did not elaborate on their identities.
He revealed that MACC has frozen 13 bank accounts with a joint total of about RM2 million, including those that belonged to several former aides to Ismail Sabri who were arrested last week.
However, the agency has yet to freeze the Umno leader's bank accounts, and Azam said they want to ask Ismail Sabri to explain all his bank accounts first.
Rented condo used as safehouse
The MACC chief also provided further details on the wealth seized during the probe.
While investigators raided several premises last week, all the cash and 16kg of gold bars were seized from a condominium which they believe was used as a safehouse.
Jewellery was confiscated as well, however, the MACC has yet to determine the value.
Asked who the safehouse belongs to, Azam replied it was rented, and MACC believed one of the suspects managed the unit.
Only RM14 million out of the cash were in ringgit, while the rest were in foreign denominations including US dollar, British pound, Singapore dollar and Japanese yen, among others.
It was previously reported that the valuables were found stashed in bags and safes in several rooms.
Health issues
On Feb 23, a day after Ismail Sabri was admitted to the hospital over blood pressure-related issues, it was reported that four officers linked to him were remanded.
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. -Mkini
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