Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has reaffirmed his intention to appeal the High Court’s recent conviction and sentence over charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT) and money laundering. Expressing his determination to prove his innocence, Syed Saddiq shared his perspective in a heartfelt Instagram post, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to due process and equality under the law.
Syed Saddiq was handed a seven-year prison sentence along with two strokes of the cane after being found guilty of abetting CBT, misappropriation of property, and two counts of money laundering. The charges date back to his tenure as the chief of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s Armada youth wing, where he was accused of mismanaging significant funds entrusted to him.
In his statement, Syed Saddiq vowed to expedite the appeal process, underscoring the importance of addressing the matter swiftly. “I pledge not to waste the court’s valuable time. I want my appeal to be heard as soon as possible,” he wrote. He expressed confidence in clearing his name through the judicial process, reiterating, “I have always insisted on resolving this matter in court.”
Syed Saddiq revealed that he had received the High Court’s written judgment after a year-long wait, a development that now allows him to formally begin his appeal. He stressed his choice to pursue the legal route instead of seeking alternative resolutions. “I have had many opportunities to pursue other options to drop this case, but I chose not to. I strongly believe that no one, no matter how powerful, should be above the law. Equality before the law is the cornerstone of a just nation.”
Reflecting on the broader implications of his case, Syed Saddiq emphasized that Malaysia’s progress as a developed nation depends on upholding principles of justice and equality. “Only through an uncompromising belief in the rule of law can Malaysia succeed in serving the interests of all its people,” he stated.
The charges against Syed Saddiq stem from incidents in 2021, when he was accused of authorizing the withdrawal of RM1 million in Armada funds without approval from the party’s leadership. He was also charged with misappropriating RM120,000 from the youth wing’s account and laundering RM100,000 by transferring the money into his personal investment account.
In response to the conviction, Syed Saddiq instructed his legal team, led by senior lawyers Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden and Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, to prepare a robust appeal. “I have full faith in my legal team to fight vigorously for the truth in the court of law,” he remarked.
While maintaining his belief in his innocence, Syed Saddiq said he would respect the judiciary’s decision, even if his appeal is unsuccessful. “If I am still found guilty after my appeals, I will accept the verdict with respect for the judiciary, no matter how painful or unjust I may feel it to be.” He highlighted his deep love for Malaysia and his commitment to strengthening its institutions, stating that his dedication to the country’s principles goes beyond personal considerations.
As the appeal process moves forward, Syed Saddiq’s case continues to draw public attention, serving as a significant test of accountability and integrity in Malaysia’s political landscape.
Information Source: NST, Facebook
Kamran is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.