By Dawn Chan and Rahmat Khairulrijal | New Straits Times
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob remains determined to clear his name as he prepares to face charges under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act later this month.
His lawyer, Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, who visited the Bera member of parliament shortly after the court adjourned the charging proceedings, said he had updated Ismail Sabri on the day’s developments.
Ismail Sabri, 66, is scheduled to undergo a pacemaker procedure at the National Heart Institute (IJN) this afternoon due to an irregular heartbeat.
“He is determined to clear his name. However, his immediate priority is his health.
“I am not a doctor and am not qualified to comment on how long his recovery will take. It will certainly take a few days, after which we will continue to monitor his progress.
“Once his condition has stabilised and he is medically cleared, we will be ready to appear in court to answer the charges against him.
“In any event, we are scheduled to appear in court on Aug 27. Hopefully, by then, he will be fit and ready to attend.
“Let us pray for his speedy recovery,” he said.
Amer Hamzah arrived at the institute shortly after the court adjourned and spent about an hour meeting Ismail Sabri.
He said Ismail Sabri’s heart arrhythmia required immediate medical attention after he suffered a fall two weeks ago.
He said doctors detected a brief episode during which his heart stopped beating for two seconds, prompting the need for the pacemaker procedure.
Asked whether MACC officers had visited Ismail Sabri at IJN today, Amer Hamzah said he had no information on the matter.
However, sources said MACC investigators visited Ismail Sabri at the institute following the court proceedings to facilitate the bail process.
Earlier, Sessions Court judge Suzana Hussin fixed Aug 27 for Ismail Sabri to face the charge and have his plea recorded, subject to his health improving sufficiently for him to attend court.
The prosecution, led by deputy public prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan, did not object to the postponement on humanitarian grounds.
Ismail Sabri had been scheduled to appear in court today to face a charge believed to be linked to his declaration of assets.
