THE Court of Appeal will announce its decision on June 25 regarding the appeal filed by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman against his conviction and sentencing on charges involving criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property, and money laundering connected to the youth wing of his former party, Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada).
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin confirmed the date to reporters, while Syed Saddiq’s counsel, Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, also acknowledged the scheduled decision.
“The date was set at today’s case management via Zoom before Court of Appeal deputy registrar Muhammad Noor Firdaus Rosli,” said Wan Shaharuddin.
Arguments from both the prosecution and defence were concluded on 17 April before a three-judge panel comprising Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin.
On 9 November 2023, the Kuala Lumpur High Court found Syed Saddiq guilty on four charges and sentenced him to seven years in prison, two strokes of the cane, and a RM10 million fine. The charges were related to the alleged misappropriation of funds from Armada during his tenure as its leader.
Syed Saddiq, 32, was allegedly found to have abetted Armada’s former assistant treasurer, Rafiq Hakim Razali, in committing criminal breach of trust involving RM1 million. The offence was allegedly committed at CIMB Bank Berhad, Menara CIMB KL Sentral, on 6 March 2020, under Section 406 of the Penal Code.
He also faced a second charge of misappropriating RM120,000 from Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise’s Maybank Islamic account, allegedly by instructing Rafiq Hakim to dispose of the funds. This incident reportedly occurred between 8 and 21 April 2018 in Pandan Jaya and falls under Section 403 of the Penal Code.
In addition, the former youth and sports minister was charged with two counts of money laundering, involving the transfer of RM50,000 on two occasions from his Maybank Islamic account to his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account. The transfers were said to be proceeds from unlawful activity and took place on 16 and 19 June 2018 in Taman Perling, Johor Bahru.
These charges fall under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which provides for a maximum 15-year prison term and a fine of up to five times the value of the illegal proceeds upon conviction. - April 24, 2025
