Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency has said it is investigating four aides of former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, after a bust reportedly uncovered more than 100 million ringgit (US$22.7 million) stuffed into bags and safes in the home of one of the suspects.
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It is the latest probe by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into the close allies of former leader Mahathir Mohamad under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s watch.
Four former senior officers who served during Ismail’s tenure have been held under remand since last Friday, according to the MACC.
“The MACC is currently unable to reveal the findings of investigations into this case including the value of cash or assets that were found and does not discount the possibility that several other witnesses will be called in to assist investigations,” the commission said in a statement on late Monday.
The comments followed a report by local English daily New Straits Times, which cited a source confirming the seizure of more than 100 million ringgit from a suspect’s house stashed in bags and safes, along with documents, jewellery and electronic devices.
Ismail was reportedly rushed to hospital on Sunday after he collapsed due to high blood pressure at his home in Kuala Lumpur, according to an aide.
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His family and aides told local news agencies on Monday that the former prime minister was recovering at a private hospital in the city and that his condition had improved.