Malaysia's former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has declared his wealth to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) amid an escalating corruption investigation involving nearly 700 million ringgit (about US$157 million) in government funds from his administration. This comes after the authorities seized assets valued at approximately US$40 million that are purportedly linked to him. According to the South China Morning Post, the inquiry focuses on the government publicity expenditure and procurement during his tenure from August 2021 to November 2022.

In a statement released by the MACC on March 2, it was disclosed that Ismail formally submitted a wealth declaration on February 10 after receiving a directive to do so. The agency has recorded a statement from Ismail on February 19 and has indicated he may be summoned for further questioning. Following raids, authorities reported before CNA that assets seized included cash totaling 170 million ringgit (in various currencies) and 16 kg of gold bars.

Furthermore, Ismail has now been officially named a suspect in the corruption probe. The chief commissioner of the MACC confirmed that the investigation pertains to the misuse of funds intended for the “Keluarga Malaysia” publicity campaign. Four senior officials from his administration have been detained, and authorities are actively pursuing leads related to this case, including the confiscation of funds in multiple foreign currencies, as detailed by Reuters.

The investigation unfolds under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. Ismail, a current Member of Parliament for the Bera constituency, has not yet publicly commented on these developments.