Court of Appeal to hold case management on April 24 for Syed Saddiq's appeal verdict

PUTRAJAYA – The Court of Appeal here on Thursday decided to set a later date for the verdict on Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s appeal to overturn his conviction and sentence on four charges involving abetment in criminal breach of trust (CBT), misuse of property and money laundering.

The three-member panel chaired by Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, along with Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin, reached the decision after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence of the 33-year-old Muar MP.

During proceedings, Zaidi stated that the court would fix April 24 for a case management session to choose a suitable date for the verdict.

“We thank both parties for their submissions, but we need time to deliberate before making a decision.

“For now, we will set another date for case management first,” he said.

On Nov 9, 2023, Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid sentenced Syed Saddiq to seven years in prison, two strokes of the cane and a RM10 million fine after finding him guilty of all four charges involving breach of trust, misuse of property and money laundering related to Armada funds.

Syed Saddiq later filed an appeal against the High Court’s ruling, submitting 18 grounds in his petition to be acquitted of the charges and have the sentence overturned.

This appeal marks the second stage of the judicial process. Should the Court of Appeal uphold his conviction, Syed Saddiq would still have the right to make a final appeal to the Federal Court.

However, if the panel rules in his favour and overturns the High Court’s decision, the Johor Bahru-born politician will be immediately acquitted of all charges.

According to the first charge, Syed Saddiq was accused of abetting Bersatu Assistant Treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali, who was entrusted with RM1 million in funds, in committing criminal breach of trust by misappropriating the funds.

The offence allegedly took place at CIMB Bank Berhad, Menara CIMB KL Sentral, Jalan Sentral 2, on March 6, 2020, under Section 406 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, whipping and a fine upon conviction.

In the second charge, he was accused of misusing property for personal benefit—namely RM120,000 from a Maybank Islamic Berhad account belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise, by instructing Rafiq to dispose of the money.

This offence allegedly occurred at Malayan Banking Berhad, Taman Pandan Jaya, between April 8 and April 21, 2018, under Section 403 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum 5 years’ imprisonment, whipping and a fine.

He also faces two money laundering charges, for transferring RM50,000 each from his Maybank Islamic Berhad account into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account—funds believed to be proceeds from unlawful activities.

These transfers allegedly took place at a bank in Jalan Persisiran Perling, Taman Perling, Johor Bahru on June 16 and 19, 2018, under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, punishable under Section 4(1) of the same Act.

Syed Saddiq is appealing against his conviction and sentence on the four charges of abetting in CBT, misappropriation of property and money laundering in connection to funds belonging to Armada.

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 of 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.