Kuala lumpur: The Federal Court today upheld the acquittal of Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman on four charges of abetment of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property, and money laundering involving funds belonging to Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, in a 2-1 majority decision, Justice Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali and Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah dismissed the prosecution's final appeal to reinstate the conviction and sentence against Syed Saddiq, 33. However, Court of Appeal President Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Jais, who chaired the panel, dissented in the judgment.
On June 25, 2025, the Court of Appeal had acquitted and discharged Syed Saddiq after allowing his appeal to overturn a conviction and sentence of seven years' imprisonment, two strokes of the cane, and a fine of RM10 million imposed by the High Court on November 9, 2023. The Attorney General's Chambers filed an appeal to the Federal Court the following day.
Syed Saddiq faced charges of abetting former Armada Assistant Treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali to commit criminal breach of trust involving RM1 million at CIMB Bank Berhad, KL Sentral, on March 6, 2020, under Section 406 of the Penal Code. He was also charged with misusing RM120,000 belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise under Section 403 of the Penal Code. Additionally, Syed Saddiq faced two counts of money laundering involving transfers of RM50,000 each into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account, under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
The three Court of Appeal judges delivered their judgments separately, beginning with Justice Abu Bakar, followed by Justice Che Mohd Ruzima and Justice Sequerah. After the judgments, Justice Abu Bakar invited Syed Saddiq to approach the bench to explain the court's decision, acknowledging the two other judges' findings of not guilty on all four charges.
Justice Abu Bakar highlighted that despite being judges, they are ordinary human beings who may face health issues, leading to postponements in proceedings. He expressed hope that Syed Saddiq could proceed with his plans following the favorable judgment.
Justice Che Mohd Ruzima urged stakeholders to refrain from making inappropriate statements about judges, who cannot publicly defend themselves. He also thanked Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, Head of the Prosecution Division, for his neutral stance and well wishes to the unwell judge.
The courtroom erupted in applause from Syed Saddiq's family members and supporters after the judgments were delivered.