Syed Saddiq frustrated by delayed proceedings, reaffirms commitment to justice

KUALA LUMPUR - Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman expressed frustration after his appeal proceedings were postponed due to the health issues of the lead prosecutor handling the case.

After the hearing, he said he wanted the case to conclude as soon as possible to allow him to move forward and clear his name.

However, he acknowledged the condition of deputy public prosecutor Wan Shahruddin Wan Ladin and extended his wish for the latter's recovery.

"This is above and beyond what happened in the courtroom. It involves health issues and I sincerely pray for his speedy recovery," Syed Saddiq told reporters outside the courtroom today.

The former youth and sports minister reflected on the toll the prolonged legal battle has taken on him, both emotionally and mentally, after five years of seeking justice.

"It would be dishonest of me to say I’m not affected or disappointed.

"As someone who deeply respects the judicial institution, I came today hoping for progress. Yet, the process has been postponed again.

"While I am disheartened, I remain a Malaysian citizen who respects the judiciary," he added.

Syed Saddiq has been under investigation since 2020, with the process taking 18 months before formal charges were brought against him.

Since then, he said he has not missed any of the court proceedings.

"Not a single day have I postponed my court case. Only God knows how many times I was unwell, yet I still attended every session.

"After being charged, I waited two years for the written judgment so we could begin the appeal process," he said.

Syed Saddiq added that he had been looking forward to the current hearing as a potential conclusion to this chapter of his legal battle.

The Muar MP also stressed his commitment to the principles of justice and integrity, pointing out that the typical narrative of defendants repeatedly delaying cases did not apply to him.

"People often say the accused are the ones who delay proceedings to avoid court appearances, using all kinds of tactics to dodge accountability.

"My record will show otherwise. I have never once delayed or requested to expedite my trial. I believe in justice and want to clear my name through the proper channels," he said.

Earlier, the proceedings were cut short after Wan Shahruddin complained of sore throat and sought an adjournment.

The defence did not object to the request, acknowledging the prosecutor's condition.

Syed Saddiq is appealing against his conviction and sentence on four charges of abetting in criminal breach of trust (CBT), misappropriation of property and money laundering in connection to funds belonging to Bersatu's youth wing, Armada.

In November, 2023, the Kuala Lumpur High Court sentenced him to seven years in prison, two strokes of the cane and a RM10 million fine aftet finding him guilty on all four charges.

In a 22-page judgment, the court rejected Syed Saddiq’s defence saying that his explanations were "illogical."

However, the court granted him a stay the execution of his sentence pending his appeal at the Court of Appeal.

The former Bersatu Armada chief then filed an appeal against the High Court’s decision, presenting 18 grounds to overturn his conviction and sentence, including arguing that the High Court judge erred in equating withdrawals with expenses in the first CBT charge.

On the first count, Syed Saddiq, 33, was charged with abetting former Armada assistant treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali, who was entrusted with RM1 million of Armada's funds, to commit CBT by misappropriating the funds.

The offence was allegedly committed at CIMB Bank Bhd, Menara CIMB KL Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, in Kuala Lumpur, on March 6, 2020, and the charge was framed under Section 406 of the Penal Code, which is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and liable to whipping and a fine, if convicted.

On the second charge, the former youth and sports minister was accused of misappropriating RM120,000 from Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise's Maybank Islamic Bhd account by making Rafiq dispose of the money.

He allegedly committed the offence at Malayan Banking Bhd, Jalan Pandan 3/6A, Taman Pandan Jaya, Kuala Lumpur between April 8 and 21, 2018, and the charge was framed under Section 403 of the Penal Code, which is punishable by up to five years imprisonment and liable to whipping and a fine, if convicted.

He is also facing two counts of money laundering, via transactions of RM50,000 each, believed to be proceeds from unlawful activities, from his Maybank Islamic Bhd account into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account in a bank at Jalan Persisiran Perling, Taman Perling, Johor Baru, on June 16 and 19, 2018.

The charges were framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which is punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment and liable to a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the proceeds of an unlawful activity, if convicted.