MACC questions ex-PM Ismail in RM700mil advertising spend probe

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The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commision (MACC) has confirmed that it recorded a statement from former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob regarding the alleged misuse of RM700 million in funds for expenditure on advertising, promotions and publicity efforts from 2020 to 2022.

It is understood that his statement was taken in the capital city on 10 January 2024.

The update comes after earlier this week, the MACC investigation officer and sixth chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said he would be calling a former prime minister "very soon" over the alleged misuse of RM700 million in advertising spend. Azam had not disclosed which of the ex-prime ministers would be summoned when further prompted about Ismail Sabri at the time.

Don't miss: Former PM Najib Razak threatens legal action over 1MDB documentary

Additionally, statements were also recorded from Toh Puan Nai'mah binti Abdul Khalid - the wife of the former Minister of Finance Tun Abdul Daim bin Zainuddin - and their two children, Muhammad Amin Zainuddin bin Daim and Muhammad Amir Zainuddin bin Daim.

The statements were recorded at the MACC headquarters on 10 January.

“These three individuals were called to testify to ascertain several matters regarding high-value assets inside and outside the country that are registered under companies belonging to them, and it is related to the investigation against Daim," wrote the MACC in a statement A+M saw.

The statement added, "MACC would like to clarify that a notice was handed to Tun Abdul Daim bin Zainuddin under Section 36(1)(a) of the MACC Act 2009 on 7 June 2023, while a notice under Section 36(1)(b) of the MACC Act 2009 was also handed to his family members."

Investigation into Abdul Daim began in February 2023 based on information from the Pandora Papers.

Separately, the MACC is also currently investigating former prime minister and finance minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

According to media reports, Najib did not highlight two 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) subsidiaries’ taking on of debts via the issuance of bonds totalling US$3.5 billion in 2012 to the Cabinet.

During trial, Najib's lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah also reportedly made a complaint about Man on the Run, a 98-minute documentary film currently airing on Netflix revolving around the ongoing 1MDB global financial scandal.

The former prime minister reportedly threatened legal action against former attorney general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas and Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown over statements they made in the documentary.

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