Prosecution's Appeal Against Syed Saddiq's Acquittal To Be Heard On Dec 11 

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) – The Federal Court today set two days starting Dec 11 to hear the prosecution’s appeal against the acquittal of Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman from charges of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property and money laundering involving Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (ARMADA) funds.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin said both dates, Dec 11 and 12, were set by Deputy Registrars Wan Fatimah Zaharah Wan Yussof and Mahyun Yusof during the online case management proceedings today.

“The relevant parties need to file their submissions before Nov 26 and the court also set Nov 27 for case management,” said Wan Shaharuddin when contacted by reporters.

The proceedings were also attended by lawyer Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, representing Syed Saddiq.

On June 25, a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal comprising Justices Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin acquitted and discharged Syed Saddiq after allowing his appeal to set aside his conviction and sentence of seven years' imprisonment, two strokes of the cane and a fine of RM10 million imposed by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Nov 9, 2023.

A day later (June 26), the Attorney General's Chambers filed an appeal in the Federal Court against the decision and the prosecution filed an appeal petition on Sept 22.

Syed Saddiq, 32, was charged with abetting with former Assistant Treasurer of Armada, Rafiq Hakim Razali, in committing criminal breach of trust of RM1 million of Armada funds at CIMB Bank Berhad, KL Sentral on March 6, 2020 under Section 406 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment, caning and a fine.

He is also facing a charge of misappropriating RM120,000 belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise under Section 403 of the Penal Code which carries a jail sentence of between six months and five years, whipping and a fine, if convicted.

In addition, the former Youth and Sports Minister is also accused of committing two money laundering transactions by transferring RM50,000 each to his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account.

The charge was made under Section 4(1)(b) of the Prevention of Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which provides for a maximum jail sentence of 15 years and a fine of five times the value involved, if convicted.

-- BERNAMA