'Peculiar', Ismail Sabri's lawyer says of charge against ex-PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s lawyer has described the charge against the former prime minister as “peculiar“, claiming it involved the same subject matter previously dealt with under a separate provision of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act.
KUALA LUMPUR: The lawyer for former Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has labelled the charges against him as "peculiar," pointing out they involve a matter previously addressed under a distinct provision of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act. In court today, defense attorney Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad vowed to challenge the charge's propriety and validity, raising the issue when arguing for reduced bail.
The prosecution had previously filed under Section 41 of the MACC Act, dealing with seized property, even though a prior review concluded no prosecution would be pursued. This unexpected turn has prompted Amer to scrutinize the charge and question the prosecution's request for RM500,000 bail, arguing it's done in "bad faith" and far exceeding the previously agreed upon RM100,000.
Under Section 389 of the Criminal Procedure Code, bail must not be punitive or excessive, only securing the accused's court attendance. Despite being charged with failing to comply with an MACC notice to declare assets under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act, Ismail Sabri pleaded not guilty.
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