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THE Court of Appeal is set to continue this morning with the hearing of an appeal filed by Muar Member of Parliament, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, seeking to overturn his conviction and sentence in relation to four charges of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property, and money laundering involving funds from the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance’s (MUDA) youth wing, Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (ARMADA).
During the previous sessions held on 19 and 20 March, a three-member panel led by Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, and comprising Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin, concluded the hearing of submissions from Syed Saddiq’s defence counsel, Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden and Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik.
The hearing is set to resume today with submissions from the respondent, represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, who had previously been unable to proceed due to a throat infection.
Following the prosecution’s arguments, Syed Saddiq’s lawyers are expected to present their rebuttal. The panel may choose to deliver its decision on the same day or defer it to a later date if further deliberation is deemed necessary.
Should the court allow the appeal, Syed Saddiq will be acquitted of all charges. However, the prosecution retains the right to appeal the decision at the Federal Court. Conversely, if the appeal is dismissed, Syed Saddiq may pursue a final appeal before the country’s highest court.
The former Youth and Sports Minister is appealing a decision by the Kuala Lumpur High Court, which found him guilty on four charges and imposed a sentence of seven years in prison, two strokes of the cane, and a RM10 million fine. The charges include abetting in criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property, and money laundering involving ARMADA funds.
In his petition of appeal, Syed Saddiq cited 18 grounds to challenge both his conviction and the sentence imposed. Among them, he argued that in the first charge — abetment in criminal breach of trust — the High Court Judge, Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid, had erred in equating the withdrawal of funds with actual expenditure.
The first charge relates to Syed Saddiq allegedly abetting ARMADA’s then Assistant Treasurer, Rafiq Hakim Razali, who was entrusted with RM1 million in party funds, to commit criminal breach of trust by misusing the funds. The alleged incident took place at CIMB Bank Berhad, Menara CIMB KL Sentral, Jalan Sentral 2, Kuala Lumpur, on 6 March 2020.
The charge falls under Section 406 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, whipping, and a fine. – April 17, 2025