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Syed Saddiq’s appeal against 7 years’ jail, whipping fixed for case management on Jan 16
Update1:
I will respect whatever decision on my appeal, says Syed Saddiq
-29 Nov 2024, 06:56 PM
The Muar MP says true commitment to the country demands unwavering respect for its institutions, even in moments of personal adversity.
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman is appealing his conviction and sentence for abetting in criminal breach of trust, misappropriating assets, and money laundering in relation to some RM1.2 million in funds linked to Bersatu Youth.
PETALING JAYA: Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has promised to continue respecting the country’s judicial institution regardless of the outcome of his appeal against his conviction for corruption last year.
The former Muda president was convicted last year of abetting in criminal breach of trust, misappropriating assets, and money laundering in relation to some RM1.2 million in funds linked to Bersatu Youth.
He was sentenced to seven years’ jail, handed a RM10 million fine, and ordered to be whipped twice by the High Court in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 9 last year.
The former youth and sports minister has lodged an appeal against the conviction and sentence with the Court of Appeal, which has fixed Jan 16 for case management.
“If I am fated … to still be found guilty after my appeal, I pledge to respect the judiciary as an institution, no matter how painful or unjust I may perceive the verdict to be,” he said in a Facebook post today.
“My love for my country cannot be conditional upon its favour towards me, nor can my belief in strengthening institutions depend on whether they serve my personal interests.
“True commitment to Malaysia and her principles demands unwavering respect for its institutions, even in moments of personal adversity.”
He also said he is looking forward to clearing his name in the Court of Appeal and has instructed his lawyers to prepare his appeal, after the grounds of judgment for his High Court sentence were released today.
In his 22-page grounds of judgment, Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid said Syed Saddiq’s sentence was not excessive as the court took into account his status as a public figure and a role model for young people before delivering the sentence.
Syed Saddiq, a former Bersatu Youth chief, was found guilty of one charge of CBT involving more than RM1 million belonging to the wing, as well as another count of dishonest misappropriation of property totalling more than RM120,000 also belonging to Bersatu Youth.
He was also convicted on two counts of money laundering for transferring a total of RM100,000 to his personal account from a company, Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise, linked to Bersatu Youth.
In his Facebook post, Syed Saddiq claimed that while he had many opportunities to have his case dropped, he chose not to pursue them as he believed no one should be above the law.
“In the eyes of the law, we are all equal,” he said.
“Only through this uncompromising belief can Malaysia succeed in becoming a developed country that serves the interests of all Malaysians.”
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29, 2024: Muda’s Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s political career looks set to be ended prematurely after his 7 years’ jail and whipping were upheld by the High Court.
Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid said the court took into account the Muar MP’s status as a public figure and a role model for young people.
Syed Saddiq was also slapped with a RM10 million fine.
He has lodged an appeal against the sentence with the Court of Appeal, which has fixed Jan 16 for case management.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report update on the case:
7 years’ jail, whipping for Syed Saddiq not excessive, says judge
-29 Nov 2024, 01:07 PM
In his grounds of judgment, Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid says the court took into account the Muar MP’s status as a public figure and a role model for young people.
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was found guilty of CBT, dishonest misappropriation of property, and money laundering involving Bersatu Youth funds on Nov 9 last year.
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here says the seven-year imprisonment and two strokes of the rotan imposed on Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman for his criminal breach of trust and money laundering offences are not excessive.
Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid said the court took into account Syed Saddiq’s status as a public figure and a role model for young people before delivering the sentence.
Syed Saddiq was also slapped with a RM10 million fine.
He has lodged an appeal against the sentence with the Court of Appeal, which has fixed Jan 16 for case management.
“The accused (Syed Saddiq) should be held to a higher standard and to serve as a role model for young people.
“As this is his first offence, he still has ample time to rectify his wrongs and reflect on what has happened,” Azhar said in his 22-page grounds of judgment.
On Nov 9 last year, Syed Saddiq, a former Bersatu Youth chief, was found guilty of one charge of CBT involving more than RM1 million belonging to the wing, as well as another count of dishonest misappropriation of property totalling more than RM120,000 also belonging to Bersatu Youth.
He was also convicted on two counts of money laundering for transferring a total of RM100,000 to his personal account from a company, Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise (ABBE), linked to Bersatu Youth.
For the CBT and dishonest misappropriation charges, the court imposed a three- and two-year jail sentence, respectively.
He was slapped with a two-year sentence on each of the money laundering charges.
However, Syed Saddiq only needs to serve five years as the sentences are to run concurrently.
In finding Syed Saddiq guilty of CBT, Azhar said the Muar MP instructed two party members to withdraw the RM1 million without consent from the Bersatu top leadership.
“The action of hiding the money at the youth wing’s office raised an inference of bad faith on his part,” he said.
On the dishonest misappropriation of property of RM120,000, which is said to be funds from an election fundraising event, the court held that the action of transferring the sum into his account was a breach of the law.
“There was no need for him to transfer the money. Any payment can be made to or through ABBE’s account.
“The court finds that the accused had intentions to misuse the money,” Azhar said.
He said the court cannot accept Syed Saddiq’s defence that he never instructed the members to withdraw the RM1 million, and denied knowledge about it.
“It is unreasonable for him (as a former youth chief) to say he does not know a large sum of money was withdrawn.
“For the dishonest misappropriation of property and money laundering charges, the accused said the money from fundraising was to reimburse what he had spent previously.
“But no evidence was represented to back up his defence,” he said.
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