Former Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob was charged on Thursday with failing to declare assets to the country’s anti-corruption authorities, according to local media.
The 66-year-old former premier pleaded not guilty to the charge, the Malay Mail reported.
Ismail is accused of failing to declare holdings that included Malaysian and nine foreign currencies, as well as five gold bars, to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
If convicted, he could face a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of up to 100,000 Malaysian ringgit (approximately $25,000).
After hearing arguments from the prosecution and defence, the judge allowed Ismail to retain his passport, ruling that there was insufficient evidence to suggest he posed a flight risk.
The court scheduled the next hearing for September 29.
Ismail served as Malaysia’s ninth prime minister from August 2021 until October 2022.