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Former Malaysian United Democratic Party (Muda) president and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. For image info, go to https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2023/11/09/syed-saddiq-temporarily-step-downs-as-muda-president/
Syed Saddiq may know his fate on April 17
KUALA LUMPUR, March 20, 2025: Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman may know his fate on April 17.
The Court of Appeal today extended Syed Saddiq’s appeal hearing with the prosecution set to continue presenting its arguments on April 17.
The former Muda founding president is appealing against his conviction and sentence on charges of criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report on the court proceedings and previous postings:
Malaysia
Syed Saddiq’s conviction appeal adjourned to April 17
“He should have known that using the funds for personal or political purposes was a breach of his fiduciary duty,” DPP states
Updated 4 hours ago · Published on 20 Mar 2025 3:18PM
He had failed to provide any credible justification for his actions or why he believed he was entitled to use the Armada funds for his own purposes. – March 20, 2025
THE Court of Appeal has extended the appeal hearing for Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, with the prosecution set to continue presenting its arguments on April 17.
This follows the second day of a scheduled two-day hearing for Syed Saddiq’s appeal against his conviction and sentence on charges of criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Datuk Seri Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin firmly rejected the defence's claim of witness intimidation, highlighting that Syed Saddiq, as a trustee of the Bersatu Armada account, should have known that using the funds for personal or political purposes was a breach of his fiduciary duty.
"As a trustee of the account, he should have known that using the funds for personal or political gain was a violation of his fiduciary duty," Wan Shaharuddin stated.
The DPP further argued that Syed Saddiq had failed to provide any credible justification for his actions or why he believed he was entitled to use the Armada funds for his own purposes.
Wan Shaharuddin also pointed out that Syed Saddiq did not challenge key evidence presented by the prosecution, particularly the testimony of Rafiq Hakim Razali, the former assistant treasurer of Armada, who turned key witness for the prosecution.
Rafiq had previously testified that Syed Saddiq had instructed the withdrawal of RM1 million from the Armada account. "The failure of the appellant to challenge this evidence undermines his defence," said the DPP.
As proceedings ran over time, the court adjourned until April 17 for the continuation of the DPP’s submissions, as only the first charge was addressed during today’s hearing.
Syed Saddiq, represented by Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abidin and Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, was sentenced on November 9, 2023, to seven years in prison, two strokes of the cane, and a RM5 million fine for charges related to criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of funds, and money laundering. These charges stemmed from his role in misusing RM1 million from the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s youth wing, Armada.
Today’s appeal was heard before a three-judge panel, consisting of Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Haji Azman Abdullah, and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin.
Syed Saddiq, aged 33, was represented by senior lawyer Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden during the session. The Court of Appeal had previously scheduled a two-day hearing for the appeal on 19 and 20 March 2025.
In November 2023, Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid convicted the former Youth and Sports Minister, finding him guilty on four charges relating to the misappropriation of Armada funds.
The charges included criminal breach of trust, abuse of property, and money laundering, for which he was sentenced to seven years in prison, two strokes of the cane, and a RM10 million fine.
The High Court ruling, which covered a 22-page judgment, dismissed Syed Saddiq's defence and labelled his explanations as “illogical”.
However, the court allowed his request for a stay of execution of the sentence while the appeal was pending in the Court of Appeal. – March 20, 2025
Wednesday, 19 March 2025
Muar MP’s lawyers: Trial judge didn’t consider all evidence in convicting Syed Saddiq
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Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman is appealing his conviction for abetting criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of assets and money laundering in relation to some RM1.2 million in funds linked to Bersatu Youth.
Muar MP’s lawyers: Trial judge didn’t consider all evidence in convicting Syed Saddiq
KUALA LUMPUR, March 19, 2025: Defence lawyers today submitted in the Court of Appeal that the trial judge did not consider all evidence in convicting Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
They also submitted that the former Muda president should have been acquitted after the prosecution or defence case due to a lack of evidence.
Counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik said the failure to weigh the evidence of defence witnesses against the prosecution at the close of the defence case was a non-compliance of Section 182A(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report on the court proceedings:
Trial judge didn’t consider all evidence in convicting Syed Saddiq, court told
-19 Mar 2025, 05:25 PM
Defence lawyers submit in appeal that the Muar MP should have been acquitted after the prosecution or defence case due to a lack of evidence.
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman is appealing his conviction for abetting criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of assets and money laundering in relation to some RM1.2 million in funds linked to Bersatu Youth.
PUTRAJAYA: The trial judge who convicted Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman of corruption and money laundering charges committed serious misdirection in failing to consider all evidence before him, the Court of Appeal heard today.
Counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik said the failure to weigh the evidence of defence witnesses against the prosecution at the close of the defence case was a non-compliance of Section 182A(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
“There is a failure of justice when the defence submissions were not considered when the trial judge decided to convict the appellant,” he said in his submission before a three-member bench chaired by Justice Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim.
Also on the bench hearing the appeal of the former youth and sports minister were Justices Azman Abdullah and Noorin Badaruddin.
Hisyam pointed out that a prosecution witness, former Bersatu Youth assistant treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali, had been arrested and remanded by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for six days for investigation.
He said the witness testified that the instruction to withdraw RM1 million from a bank account came from Syed Saddiq, who was then Bersatu Youth chief.
“This witness also admitted under cross-examination by a lawyer for the appellant that he caved in to MACC pressure and gave a statement to implicate Syed Saddiq,” he added.
Hisyam said Syed Saddiq, who gave evidence under oath, denied Rafiq’s testimony.
The lawyer said another defence witness, former Bersatu Youth information chief Ulya Aqamah Husamudin, supported Syed Saddiq’s testimony that there was no such instruction to withdraw the money.
“Ulya also gave a statement to MACC which contradicted the evidence of Rafiq and (then Bersatu Youth assistant secretary) Ahmad Redzuan Shafi,” he said, adding that his client should have been acquitted after his defence was called.
Counsel Yusof Zainal Abiden, who is also appearing for Syed Saddiq, submitted that the appellant should have been acquitted after the close of the prosecution’s case.
Yusof, a former solicitor-general, said all the ingredients for abetment in criminal breach of trust (CBT) and dishonest misappropriation of RM120,000 were not proven.
He said not a single sen of the RM1 million went into Syed Saddiq’s bank accounts but was instead used to assist members during the Covid-19 pandemic as well as Ramadan and Hari Raya celebrations in 2020.
“There cannot be abetment as the money was not used for the appellant’s benefit,” he added.
Yusof also said the use of the RM120,000 could not amount to misappropriation as the money was raised in Muar and Ampang for his 2018 general election campaign.
“For all intents and purposes, the money belongs to him. Only a donor could have raised an issue but that is not the case here,” he said, adding that this charge did not disclose an offence.
Yusof added that the two money laundering charges against Syed Saddiq for transferring RM50,000 each from his Maybank Islamic Bhd account to his ASB account would collapse if the ingredients of abetment and misappropriation were not proven.
The prosecution will reply tomorrow.
On Nov 9, 2023, Syed Saddiq was found guilty of abetting in CBT amounting to RM1 million and dishonest misappropriation of RM120,000.
For the CBT charge, the court imposed a three-year jail term and ordered that Syed Saddiq receive one stroke of the rotan.
He was sentenced to two years in jail and another stroke of the cane on the misappropriation charge and an additional two-year imprisonment term for each of the money laundering offences.
The court ordered that the jail terms for CBT and dishonest misappropriation run consecutively, while those handed down for money laundering offences run concurrently.
As a result, Syed Saddiq would have to serve five years in jail. The sentence was stayed by the High Court pending the former Muda president’s appeal.
In his 22-page grounds of judgment released on Nov 28 last year, Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid said the sentences pronounced on Syed Saddiq were not excessive as the court had taken into account his status as a public figure and a role model for young people.
Wednesday, 19 March 2025
No decision yet on Syed Saddiq’s appeal against conviction
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Former Malaysian United Democratic Party (Muda) president and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. For image info, go to https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2023/11/09/syed-saddiq-temporarily-step-downs-as-muda-president/
No decision yet on Syed Saddiq’s appeal against conviction
KUALA LUMPUR, March 19, 2025: The Court of Appeal today made no announcement or decision on Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman's appeal against his conviction and sentence related to the Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada) funds.
At the appeal proceedings, which began at 12.15pm, the three-member panel, led by Justice Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, with Justices Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin, informed the court that the proceedings were adjourned and will continue tomorrow.
“We will hear the appellant’s submissions today, but we will break for lunch. Tomorrow, we will hear the prosecution's arguments,” stated Justice Ahmad Zaidi.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below news reports on the court proceedings:
Malaysia
Syed Saddiq's appeal for overturned conviction delayed – Court announces no decision today
The muar MP appeared before the Court of Appeal regarding his appeal to overturn his conviction and the seven-year prison sentence, two strokes of the cane, and a RM10 million fine.
Updated 1 hour ago · Published on 19 Mar 2025 1:17PM
The charges stemmed from accusations of criminal breach of trust, abuse of property, and money laundering involving funds from the Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada) movement. March 19, 2025
THE Court of Appeal said no decision would be made today on Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman's appeal against his conviction and sentence related to the Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada) funds at the Court of Appeal.
At the appeal proceedings, which began at 12.15 pm, the three-member panel, led by Justice Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, with Justices Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin, informed the court that the proceedings were adjourned and will continue tomoroow.
“We will hear the appellant’s submissions today, but we will break for lunch. Tomorrow, we will hear the prosecution's arguments,” stated Justice Ahmad Zaidi.
Syed Saddiq, aged 33, was represented by senior lawyer Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden during the session. The Court of Appeal had previously scheduled a two-day hearing for the appeal on 19 and 20 March 2025.
In November 2023, Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid convicted the former Youth and Sports Minister, finding him guilty on four charges relating to the misappropriation of Armada funds.
The charges included criminal breach of trust, abuse of property, and money laundering, for which he was sentenced to seven years in prison, two strokes of the cane, and a RM10 million fine.
The High Court ruling, which covered a 22-page judgment, dismissed Syed Saddiq's defence and labelled his explanations as “illogical”.
However, the court allowed his request for a stay of execution of the sentence while the appeal was pending in the Court of Appeal.
Syed Saddiq filed an appeal against the High Court’s decision, presenting 18 grounds in his petition.
He argued that the trial judge had erred in law by convicting him on the charges, as the judge failed to properly consider or understand the implications of Section 405 of the Penal Code.
He claimed that the actions attributed to him in the first charge did not constitute an offence under the section.
If the Court of Appeal upholds his conviction, Syed Saddiq may still seek further appeal at the Federal Court, the country’s highest legal authority.
However, if the court allows his appeal, he would be immediately freed from the charges.
The charges that Syed Saddiq faces include conspiring with Rafiq Hakim Razali, then Assistant Treasurer of Armada, to misappropriate RM1 million of Armada’s funds at CIMB Bank Berhad in Kuala Lumpur on 6 March 2020.
This offence is under Section 406 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, caning, and a fine.
In a second charge, Syed Saddiq is accused of misusing RM120,000 of Armada’s funds from Maybank Islamic Berhad between 8 and 21 April 2018.
This offence falls under Section 403 of the Penal Code, which carries a sentence of imprisonment from six months to five years, caning, and a fine.
Additionally, Syed Saddiq faces two money laundering charges related to transferring RM50,000 from his Maybank Islamic Berhad account to his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account on 16 and 19 June 2018.
These transactions allegedly derived from criminal activity and are covered under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds from Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
This section carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine up to five times the amount involved in the illegal activities.
As Syed Saddiq’s appeal continues, the court’s decision on whether to uphold or overturn his conviction will be crucial not only for the former minister but also for broader discussions on accountability and transparency in the handling of political party funds. – Marc 19, 2025
Malaysia
Syed Saddiq, family members and Bella Astillah arrive at Putrajaya court
Earlier, a group of supporters gathered at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya to express solidarity with Muda and Syed Saddiq.
Updated 59 minutes ago · Published on 19 Mar 2025 9:16AM
The former President of the Malaysian United Democratic Party (Muda) was accompanied by family members - March 19, 2025
MUAR Member of Parliament, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, arrived at the Putrajaya Court of Appeal here at 8:34 am today to attend the appeal case regarding the Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada) fund.
The former President of the Malaysian United Democratic Party (Muda) was accompanied by family members, a group of leaders, and party members.
The former Minister of Youth and Sports was sentenced to seven years in prison, two strokes of the cane, and a fine of RM10 million for four offenses related to the Armada fund
Earlier, a group of supporters gathered at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya to express solidarity with Muda and Syed Saddiq.
Bella Astillah also arrived at the court complex at 8.43am today to support Syed Saddiq
The actress and singer, dressed in a baju kurung, was seen shaking hands and exchanging greetings with Syed Saddiq's family members. - March 19, 2025
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