Malaysia's former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob was charged Thursday with failing to declare his assets, making him the nation's third leader to face criminal charges after leaving office. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
Ismail, 66, pleaded not guilty to a charge under the anti-graft law that alleged he failed to provide a complete declaration of assets following a notification. The case was heard in a Kuala Lumpur court.
According to the Associated Press, Ismail Sabri Yaakob arrived at the courthouse on Thursday. This is the third Malaysian prime minister to face criminal charges after leaving office. Several former prime ministers have previously been convicted on similar charges.
Ismail Sabri Yaakob served as Malaysia's prime minister from 2021 to 2022. After he left power, an anti-corruption investigation was launched. The investigation found that he had not fully declared his assets.
At the court hearing, Ismail pleaded not guilty. His lawyers said the charge was baseless. The next court hearing has been scheduled.
This incident reflects the intensifying fight against corruption in Malaysia. Several criminal cases have been opened against former high-ranking officials in the country. This trend is drawing attention from international observers.
The Associated Press continues to report details of this case. The case of Ismail Sabri Yaakob is considered a significant event in Malaysia's political history.