Malaysian ex-PM Ismail Sabri’s corruption charges delayed by health woes

The 66-year-old is the latest senior politician swept up in the government’s anti-corruption crackdown under PM Anwar Ibrahim

Ismail Sabri, 66, has faced corruption accusations following the arrests of a senior aide and several others last February over alleged abuse of power and money laundering.

Police also seized about 170 million ringgit (US$41.5 million) in cash held under different denominations and 16kg (35lbs) of gold ingots estimated to be worth 7 million ringgit, all kept at an office that investigators believed Ismail Sabri’s aide used as a safe house.

Amer Hamzah Arshad, the former leader’s lawyer, said his client was unable to take part in Friday’s hearing at a Kuala Lumpur sessions court. He was taken to hospital the previous day after suffering from “some sort of health problem” while being questioned by anti-corruption officers.

“This morning when we contacted the client and his family, we were made to understand that he will undergo a pacemaker procedure this afternoon,” Amer told reporters.

He said Ismail Sabri was also briefly admitted for treatment two weeks earlier after suffering a fall.