KUALA LUMPUR — Investigators from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) are scheduled to travel to Jakarta to record a statement from fashion designer Datuk Jovian Mandagie, the former son-in-law of former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The 39-year-old is expected to assist in an ongoing investigation involving Ismail Sabri, who served as Malaysia’s ninth prime minister between August 2021 and November 2022, the NST reported.
Jovian was previously married to the ex-premier’s eldest daughter, Nina Sabrina Ismail Sabri.
Sources said the MACC team will be in Indonesia for two days, with Jovian’s testimony considered essential to verify certain documents relevant to the probe.
Jovian, who announced the closure of his fashion business last year, is believed to have relocated to Jakarta shortly thereafter.
Confirming the development, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said efforts were being made to obtain Jovian’s cooperation.
“I have been informed that we need to meet him. We cannot compel him to come here now as he is an Indonesian national and presently in that country,” Azam said when met at the MACC headquarters.
“We must obtain his cooperation. I expect this to happen within a week or two. I have instructed the investigators and the director to expedite the matter,” he added.
Jovian’s name reportedly surfaced in the asset declaration submitted by Ismail Sabri on February 10 this year. However, the former prime minister is not expected to be summoned again at this stage, with the investigation believed to be nearing completion.
Azam explained that the commission was now finalising its findings before deciding on the next steps.
“If there are enough elements to press charges against him, we will recommend prosecution,” he said. “As of now, I can say that if the case file is complete and there is a chargeable offence, we will provide the necessary information.”
Ismail Sabri, who currently serves as the Member of Parliament for Bera, is under investigation over suspected corruption and money laundering linked to the funding and promotion of the “Keluarga Malaysia” initiative during his premiership.
The probe is being conducted under Section 36(1) of the MACC Act 2009, which pertains to asset declarations, and is also linked to the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
On March 3, Azam confirmed that Ismail Sabri had been officially named a suspect. The investigation followed the discovery of roughly RM170 million in various currencies and 16 kilograms of gold bars during a raid on a location believed to have served as a “safe house”. – June 10, 2025