Da’i Syed acquitted of rape charge by Court of Appeal
Majority decision sets aside celebrity preacher's 10-year jail sentence and three strokes of the cane, with one judge dissenting
PUTRAJAYA – Celebrity preacher Da’i Syed was acquitted and discharged of a rape charge involving a woman seven years ago after the Court of Appeal here on Wednesday allowed his appeal against conviction and sentence.
Two of the three judges on the panel ruled in his favour, setting aside the 10-year imprisonment sentence and three strokes of the cane previously imposed by the High Court.
Da’i Syed was seen holding back tears as he listened to the decision in the dock.
The panel was chaired by Justice Datuk Azman Abdullah, alongside Justice Datuk Mohd Radzi Abdul Hamid, while the third judge, Justice Datuk Meor Hashimi Abdul Hamid, dissented from the majority decision.
Reading out the ruling, Azman said the defence had succeeded in raising reasonable doubt over the prosecution's case.
“The appellant’s conviction is unsafe. The appellant’s appeal is allowed, and the 10-year imprisonment sentence and three strokes of the cane imposed by the High Court are set aside,” he said.
Da’i Syed broke down in tears shortly after the decision was announced, while his wife, Hana, who was seated in the public gallery, was also seen crying and covering her face.
On Dec 10, 2020, Syed Shah Iqmal Syed Mohd Shaiful was charged with raping a 23-year-old woman at a condominium in Section 7 here at about 1.35am on Sept 11, 2019.
The charge was framed under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and whipping upon conviction.
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