[UPDATED] Wrong to ask me to support Muhyiddin to avoid prosecution: Syed Saddiq

KUALA LUMPUR – Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has asserted that his ongoing corruption trial can be traced back to his refusal to throw his support behind former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Following attempts by the prosecution team to discredit the witness statement he had presented to the court yesterday, Syed Saddiq said it was “clearly wrong” for him to be persecuted in this manner simply because he declined to back Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president.

“(Everything that I have said in my witness statement) is true. Until today, I can vividly remember what transpired then and the ensuing events because what happened is clearly not right.

“I would not (wish for) any of my political enemies to go through the same (experience as I have),” he said in the sessions court here today during re-examination by defence counsel lead Gobind Singh Deo.

When Gobind requested that his client clarify what he meant when he referred to “wrong” happenings, Syed Saddiq said: “Requests to support (Muhyiddin).”

“I have nothing personal against him (Muhyiddin), but the investigating officer’s (Ihsan) testimony that he served me with a notice and then left is untrue.  

“(Ihsan) was there (with me) from the beginning to the end and he said that MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) was being used as a tool and I’m a victim of political persecution.

“It is not right, Your Honour. If anything, I hope that this will be corrected,” he added.

In response, Gobind said: “So the crime that you are referring to as being wrong is the demand to support (Muhyiddin), if not, charges will be brought against you? As far as you’re concerned, that is wrong?” 

To this, Syed Saddiq simply responded in the affirmative.

His assertions today echoed claims he had made during yesterday’s session.

He had also previously referred to a transcript of an audio recording allegedly showing the MACC officer known only as Ihsan telling him that Muhyiddin still cared for the former Bersatu Youth leader while lamenting how the anti-graft body has become a “tool” when there is a change of government.

During earlier case proceedings, Syed Saddiq’s mother, Shariffah Mahani Syed Abdul Aziz, had told the high court here that her son was put under political pressure to support the government led by Muhyiddin three years ago. 

She had said she felt the pressure her son was under when questioned by MACC during the investigation into the charges against the former youth and sports minister. 

Kerfuffle over ostensibly innocuous differences in witness statement 

Earlier in today’s trial, held in front of judicial commissioner Azhar Abdul Hamid, the court saw a brief moment of confusion when the prosecution team, led by Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, appeared to have a different witness statement than that supplied to the judge. 

“Where did you (Wan Shaharuddin) get this statement? Why is it different from the one (Syed Saddiq) signed?

“You do not turn your back to me! Do you not know court etiquette?” 

Following a 15-minute break called to settle the situation, a ticked-off Azhar continued to berate the prosecutors for failing to pay attention to the statement Syed Saddiq had read out yesterday. 

“The one (witness statement) you (prosecution team) and the one I have with me is different. This is what happens when you don’t pay attention in court. 

“The statement was read out loud in court yesterday, you should have cross-checked your document. Had you paid any attention, you would have noticed the differences,” he said. 

Checks on both versions of the statement revealed minor edits, particularly in paragraphs 24 and 54.  

Syed Saddiq is being tried for abetting a former Armada assistant treasurer to commit a criminal breach of trust and for misusing party contributions amounting to RM120,000 belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise.

He is also facing two charges of money laundering, in two transactions of RM50,000 each, believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

In October, Syed Saddiq was ordered to enter his defence after the judge found that the prosecution had proven a prima facie case.

The trial resumes tomorrow. – The Vibes, February 23, 2023