Kuala Lumpur:Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob plans to contest the charge against him for failing to declare assets, which include RM14.7 million in cash, significant sums in foreign currencies, and several gold bars.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ismail Sabri's lawyer, Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, stated that the defense would file an application once all case documents are reviewed. The defense intends to challenge the reasonableness and validity of the charges.

During a case mention before Sessions Court Judge Suzana Hussin, deputy public prosecutor Ifa Sirrhu Samsudin noted that the prosecution had submitted some case documents to the defense. Five volumes, including seizure and asset declaration documents related to Ismail Sabri, were handed over under Section 36 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.

Amer Hamzah acknowledged the receipt of the documents and requested the remaining volumes and the witness list to be provided before the next mention date, which the court set for December 4.

Ismail Sabri, 66, faces allegations of failing to declare cash totaling RM14,772,150; SGD6,132,350; USD1,461,400; CHF3,000,000; EUR12,164,150; JPY363,000,000; GBP50,250; NZD44,600; AED34,750,000; and AUD352,850. Additionally, he is accused of not declaring five 1kg Petak Suisse Fine Gold bars, one 100g Petak Suisse Fine Silver bar, and one 5g 999 Fine Gold coin as listed in a notice from the MACC dated January 10, 2025.

The alleged offense took place at the MACC headquarters on February 7, 2025. The charge falls under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009, carrying a potential maximum jail term of five years and a fine of up to RM100,000 if convicted.