Final appeal decision in Syed Saddiq case to be decided on July 13

THE prosecution's final appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision to acquit and release Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman will be decided on July 13.

Court of Appeal president Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Jais, who chaired the three-member panel, said the postponement was due to the absence of Federal Court judge Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali, who is on medical leave.

The three-judge panel that heard the appeal was chaired by Abu Bakar, along with Federal Court Judges Che Mohd Ruzima and Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah.

The prosecution, led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, is seeking to reinstate the High Court ruling that sentenced the former minister to seven years in prison, two strokes of the rotan, and a RM10 million fine.

The High Court had, on Nov 9, 2023, found Syed Saddiq guilty on four charges involving criminal breach of trust, dishonest misappropriation of property, and money laundering linked to funds belonging to Bersatu's youth wing, Armada.

“Justice Ruzima is not here as we were informed she is unwell and is taking time off to recover today and tomorrow.

“Due to this, we cannot deliver our decision today as it would not be right to do so without one member of the panel,” said Abu Bakar.

He said the court had initially intended to hand down its decision today, but was informed that Ruzima had been placed on medical leave today and tomorrow.

Abu Bakar said the panel would instead deliver its judgment on July 13, subject to the parties’ availability.

“We are ready to give our decision on July 13. That is the date we can deliver it. We in fact have the decision already, but we will deliver the decision in July and not today,” he said.

He added that the court could have instructed the registry yesterday to notify the parties of the postponement, but the development came late in the day.

“That is why I am here on the bench to inform everyone personally.”

Earlier, Syed Saddiq arrived at court at 8.50 am, accompanied by his mother, Shariffah Mahani Syed Abdul Aziz. - June 30, 2026