KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s prosecution has filed an appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman in the RM1.2 million (S$366,000) graft case linked to Armada funds.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin confirmed that the appeal was officially filed on September 22, citing 28 grounds of appeal. The prosecution argued that the Court of Appeal judges had erred both in law and facts, particularly in their criticism of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and claims that testimony was allegedly influenced.
In its petition, the prosecution stated, “The judges of the Court of Appeal had erred when the panel made wild accusations that the prosecution and the MACC purportedly pressured the 13th prosecution witness to give a testimony that was ‘tailored’ and made to ‘appease’ the MACC and the prosecution when there was no testimony to support the accusations.”
The prosecution also argued that Syed Saddiq’s defence amounted to an afterthought and bare denial, which the appellate judges had failed to adequately consider.
Background of the Case
On June 25, a three-judge panel led by Justice Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, alongside Justices Azman Abdullah and Noorin Badaruddin, unanimously set aside the High Court’s earlier ruling, allowing Syed Saddiq’s appeal. The appellate court concluded that significant errors had been made during the trial, warranting intervention.
Previously, on November 9, 2023, High Court judge Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid found the former youth and sports minister guilty of four charges: abetting in criminal breach of trust (CBT), misappropriation of funds, and money laundering involving RM1.2 million. He was sentenced to seven years in prison, fined RM10 million, and ordered to receive two strokes of the cane.
Charges Faced by Syed Saddiq
- Criminal Breach of Trust: Abetting former Armada assistant treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali in misappropriating RM1 million of Armada’s funds.
- Misappropriation of Funds: Misusing RM120,000 from Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise’s Maybank Islamic Bhd account.
- Money Laundering (two counts): Transferring RM50,000 twice from his Maybank Islamic Bhd account into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account, funds believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The Court of Appeal’s decision marked a turning point in the high-profile case, but with the latest appeal, the legal battle surrounding the young opposition lawmaker is far from over.