KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 1): The Sessions Court on Wednesday ordered over RM169 million in cash, allegedly linked to former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his former political secretary Datuk Mohammad Anuar Mohd Yunus, to be forfeited to the Malaysian government.
Sessions Court judge Suzana Hussin made the order, given that the ex-PM and his aide did not contest the prosecution's application and there were no third party claims to the monies which were seized by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
"The court allows the prosecution's application. [The cash is forfeited] to the Malaysian government, per Section 41 (1) of the MACC Act," she said.
Section 41 (1) allows forfeiture of property where there is no prosecution for an offence.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Mahadi Abdul Jumaat led the team of prosecutors on Wednesday, while Ragunath Kesavan and Joshua Tay appeared for the respondents.
Earlier in the proceedings, Mahadi informed the court that a gazette was published on Sept 22, inviting any third party to come forth and stake their claim over the monies. However, no one had appeared to do so.
MACC filed the forfeiture application for over RM169 million in cash allegedly belonging to Ismail Sabri, seized from Mohammad Anuar, to the Malaysian government. The sum includes RM14.77 million in Malaysian currency; S$6.13 million, US$1.46 million, three million Swiss francs, €12.16 million, ¥363 million, £50,250, NZ$44,600, 34.75 million Emirati dirhams, and A$352,850.
This came after the graftbusters were satisfied that the money kept by Mohammad Anuar belonged to Ismail Sabri, and was linked to an offence under the MACC Act.
Ismail Sabri, who is also Bera member of Parliament, has been in and out of MACC offices in the past several months to record his statements regarding his asset declarations.
Four senior aides of the former prime minister were arrested in February, leading to raids on homes and offices believed to be used as "safe houses" for the investigation.
Apart from the cash, the MACC also seized 16kg of gold bars, estimated to be worth RM7 million, in connection with the corruption and money laundering investigation involving Ismail Sabri.