Kuala Lumpur: The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has filed a notice of appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit Muar member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman of charges related to criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property, and money laundering connected to Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda’s (ARMADA) funds.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the AGC’s statement was released after reviewing the Court of Appeal’s judgment delivered the previous day. The AGC emphasized that the appeal process is a standard procedure within the justice system, allowing higher courts to assess the decisions of lower courts, and does not reflect any bias against any party involved.

The AGC’s statement highlighted the objective of the appeal as ensuring that legal issues arising from the Court of Appeal’s decision are examined thoroughly and conclusively by the Federal Court. This step is in alignment with principles of justice and transparent legal governance.

The Court of Appeal’s three-member panel, consisting of Justices Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Azman Abdullah, and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin, had previously allowed Syed Saddiq’s appeal to overturn his conviction and sentence on all charges. Justice Noorin, delivering the unanimous judgment, noted that the prosecution failed to establish the charge of abetment and that the evidence for the misappropriation charge was insufficient. She also determined that the money laundering charge was untenable.

On November 9, 2023, Syed Saddiq was initially sentenced by the Kuala Lumpur High Court to seven years’ imprisonment, two strokes of the cane, and a RM10 million fine.