Former Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's scheduled court appearance to face charges related to an anti-graft agency probe was postponed to August 27. Ismail Sabri was admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) for a heart condition, specifically possible arrhythmia, and was slated to undergo a pacemaker procedure. His lawyer, Amer Hamzah Arshad, informed the court that the former premier would need several days to recover, making it impractical for him to be charged or to enter a plea.
The charges, filed under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act, stem from an investigation into the non-declaration of assets. This probe earlier led to the seizure of significant assets, including approximately $41.5 million in cash across various currencies, 16 kg of gold bars valued at $7 million, jewelry, and luxury watches, from an aide's residence. The MACC had arrested four of Ismail Sabri's officers in February 2025, and Ismail Sabri himself had provided statements to the MACC multiple times between March and May 2025.
In October 2025, a Sessions Court ordered the forfeiture of over $169 million in cash to the Malaysian government. This forfeiture occurred because neither Ismail Sabri nor his aide contested the application, and no other parties claimed the funds. The prosecution, led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan, did not object to the postponement, citing humanitarian grounds given Ismail Sabri's health and his continued bail with the MACC, which mitigated any flight risk.
