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Freed by Federal Court, Muda’s Syed Saddiq to roar back into politics
KUALA LUMPUR, July 13, 2026: Muda founder and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was acquitted by the Federal Court today, in a case involving funds belonging to Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada).
In a 2-1 majority decision, two judges, Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali and Collin Lawrence Sequerah, opined that Syed Saddiq should be released and acquitted.
This ends Syed Saddiq’s three-year legal battle nightmare to prove his innocence, a case widely perceived as a “political persecution” by the Madani Unity Government (UG).
Syed Saddiq is likely to return to active political duty. He had, on principle, resigned as Muda president, stayed away from politicking and campaigning while being charged.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below two news reports on the court decision:
Withdrawals alone not enough for CBT conviction, court says in Syed Saddiq case
Apex court says prosecution must prove dishonest use or disposal of entrusted property.
The Federal Court, in a split decision today, dismissed the prosecution’s appeal against Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s acquittal on four criminal charges.
PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court today ruled that the withdrawal of funds alone is insufficient to prove criminal breach of trust (CBT), dismissing the prosecution’s appeal against Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s acquittal on four criminal charges.
In a 2-1 majority decision, Justices Ruzima Ghazali and Collin Lawrence Sequerah held that the Court of Appeal was correct in finding that the prosecution had failed to prove the essential ingredients of the offences beyond a reasonable doubt.
Dissenting, presiding judge Abu Bakar Jais would have restored the High Court’s convictions of dishonest misappropriation of property and money laundering.
However, all three judges unanimously agreed that Syed Saddiq was not guilty of abetting CBT, affirming the Court of Appeal’s acquittal on that charge.
At the outset, Abu Bakar stressed that each judge was entitled to arrive at an independent conclusion and urged the public to read all three judgments to fully appreciate the court’s reasoning.
All three judges agreed that the mere withdrawal of RM1 million from Bersatu Youth’s account did not, by itself, amount to CBT.
They held that the law criminalises the dishonest use or disposal of entrusted property, not the act of withdrawing the money itself.
The court further agreed that any breach of Bersatu’s internal constitution requiring approval for withdrawals exceeding RM500,000 did not automatically amount to a criminal offence, observing that party rules are not laws enacted under the Penal Code.
The judges also rejected the prosecution’s argument that the principal offender’s admission to withdrawing the money was, by itself, sufficient to establish CBT.
They stressed that criminal liability must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt and cannot rest solely on a confession.
On the charge of dishonest misappropriation involving RM120,000, the majority held that the prosecution had failed to prove that the money belonged to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise (ABBE), as alleged.
Instead, the evidence showed that the funds were raised specifically for Syed Saddiq’s campaign in the 2018 general election, with ABBE acting only as the vehicle through which the donations were collected before being transferred.
The majority said there was no evidence that the RM120,000 belonged to ABBE or any other person, making it impossible to establish one of the essential elements of the offence.
Having found that the dishonest misappropriation charge was not proved, the majority held that the related money laundering charges could not stand and accordingly dismissed the prosecution’s appeal in its entirety.
The majority concluded that the High Court’s convictions on all four charges were unsafe and affirmed the Court of Appeal’s acquittal of Syed Saddiq.
In his dissenting judgment, Abu Bakar held that the prosecution had proved the charge of dishonest misappropriation. He found that the RM120,000 remained campaign funds and did not belong to Syed Saddiq personally.
Consequently, he also found that the money laundering charges had been proven and said he would have restored the six months’ imprisonment sentence, one stroke of the cane and RM10 million fine, or an additional two years’ imprisonment in default of payment of the fine, for each of the relevant offences.
Last year, the Court of Appeal, comprising Justices Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Noorin Badaruddin and Azman Abdullah, set aside the convictions and sentences imposed by the High Court in 2023, acquitting Syed Saddiq of all four charges.
6-year legal battle strengthened my faith in judiciary, says Syed Saddiq
Muar MP says he bears no grudges and vows to continue fighting for strong institutions after the Federal Court acquittal.
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said his experience taught him never to compromise his principles, integrity or dignity, even in the face of immense pressure.
KUALA LUMPUR: Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman today said that his six-year legal battle had reinforced his faith in Malaysia’s judiciary, describing the Federal Court’s decision to acquit him as proof that justice had ultimately prevailed.
Speaking to reporters after the majority ruling by the apex court, the former youth and sports minister expressed gratitude to God, the judges who heard his case at every level, and his legal team for standing by him throughout the proceedings.
“I bear no grudges whatsoever,” he said, adding that he remained committed to defending the integrity and independence of the judiciary through his role as an MP.
“The most ideal Malaysia is one in which everyone has their views heard and justice is delivered in a court of law.”
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He said his experience had taught him never to compromise his principles, integrity or dignity, even in the face of immense pressure.
“When you are pushed into a corner and see no hope or light at the end of the tunnel, do not ever abandon your principles, your integrity and your dignity for an easy way out,” he said.
He also said he had always believed in the maxim that “the arc of justice may be long, but in the end it bends towards the truth”, adding that he hoped Malaysia would continue building strong and independent institutions.
Asked about his political future, Syed Saddiq said he would spend time with his family and put his personal affairs in order before making any decisions.
He stressed, however, that his commitment to rebuilding the nation remained unwavering.
“The fire to help rebuild Malaysia will never, ever be extinguished.”
Earlier, lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik thanked the lawyers involved in the trial and appeal, making special mention of Gobind Singh Deo and Yusuf Zainal Abiden for their contributions to the defence.
He said the unanimous decision on one charge and the majority ruling on the remaining three charges vindicated the defence’s case.
The Federal Court unanimously dismissed the prosecution’s appeal on the charge of abetting criminal breach of trust, with Justices Abu Bakar Jais, Ruzima Ghazali and Collin Lawrence Sequerah agreeing that the conviction could not stand.
On the remaining charges, Ruzima and Sequerah formed the majority in affirming last year’s Court of Appeal decision acquitting Syed Saddiq of dishonest misappropriation of property and two counts of money laundering.
Abu Bakar dissented on those charges, holding that the High Court’s convictions should be restored.
He would have sentenced Syed Saddiq to six months’ imprisonment, one stroke of the rotan and a RM10 million fine. However, the sentence has no legal effect as it formed part of the minority judgment.
Malaysia
Syed Saddiq walks free: Federal Court upholds acquittal
In a 2-1 majority decision, two judges, Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali and Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, opined that Syed Saddiq should be released and acquitted.
Updated 39 minutes ago · Published on 13 Jul 2026 10:59AM
The decision was later followed by applause from Syed Saddiq's family members and supporters. - July 13, 2025
MUAR Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was acquitted by the Federal Court today, in a case involving funds belonging to Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada).
In a 2-1 majority decision, two judges, Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali and Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, opined that Syed Saddiq should be released and acquitted.
Meanwhile, the President of the Court of Appeal, Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Jais, who chaired the three-judge panel, was the only judge to dissent when he found the former Youth and Sports Minister guilty.
The majority decision thus saw the prosecution's final appeal dismissed, in addition to acquitting the former Muda President of the 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 in November 2023.
The decision brought an end to the former 33-year-old Muda President's lengthy legal struggle, which had been ongoing for several years.
The decision was later followed by applause from Syed Saddiq's family members and supporters.
The charges involved allegations that Syed Saddiq abetted former Armada assistant treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali in committing criminal breach of trust involving RM1 million belonging to Armada at CIMB Bank Berhad, KL Sentral, on 6 March 2020.
He also faced a charge of dishonestly misappropriating RM120,000 belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise, as well as two money laundering charges involving an alleged transfer of RM50,000 into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) account.
The charges were filed under Section 406 and Section 403 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which carry substantial penalties upon conviction. - July 13, 2026
Federal Court upholds Syed Saddiq’s acquittal in split decision
Majority rules that the Court of Appeal correctly overturned corruption and money laundering convictions, ending a three-year legal battle.
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman at the Palace of Justice with his family today.
PUTRAJAYA: A three-year legal battle that threatened to derail Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s political career came to an end today after the Federal Court, in a split decision, upheld his acquittal on corruption and money laundering charges.
Dismissing the prosecution’s appeal, the majority judges ruled that the Court of Appeal had correctly overturned the Muar MP’s convictions and said there was no reason for further appellate intervention.
Justices Ruzima Ghazali and Collin Lawrence Sequerah were in the majority, while Justice Abu Bakar Jais dissented.
The three-member bench heard the appeal six months ago.
Syed Saddiq was charged with abetting then Bersatu Youth assistant treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali, who was entrusted with RM1 million in Bersatu Youth’s funds, to commit criminal breach of trust by misappropriating the money.
He was also accused of misappropriating RM120,000 from Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise’s Maybank Islamic Bhd account by making Rafiq dispose of the money.
The 33 year old was likewise charged with two counts of money laundering, involving RM50,000 each – believed to be proceeds from unlawful activities – transferred from his Maybank Islamic account into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account at a bank in Taman Perling, Johor Bahru, on June 16 and 19, 2018.
The High Court convicted Syed Saddiq of all four charges, but the Court of Appeal unanimously acquitted him.
