Putrajaya: The final appeal decision regarding the acquittal of Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has been postponed to July 13. This delay comes after a member of the Federal Court panel was reported to be on sick leave, impacting the proceedings initially scheduled for today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Court of Appeal president Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Jais, leading the three-judge Federal Court panel, announced that although the court was ready with the decision, it could not be delivered without the presence of all panel members. "Yang Arif Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah and I are present, but Yang Arif Datuk Che Ruzima is absent due to illness," he stated, highlighting the importance of having all judges present for the decision.
Judge Abu Bakar explained that the information about Che Ruzima's health condition was received late the previous day. He mentioned, "We could have informed the parties yesterday, but it was too late. Therefore, I am here today to communicate the postponement and inform that the decision will be delivered on July 13."
The proceedings today saw the attendance of deputy public prosecutors Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib, and Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan, while Syed Saddiq was represented by a legal team including Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, Datuk S. Ambiga, and Lim Wei Jeit.
Previously, on June 25, 2025, the Court of Appeal acquitted Syed Saddiq of charges related to abetting criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property, and money laundering involving Armada funds. This decision overturned a prior High Court ruling from November 2023, which had sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment, two strokes of the cane, and a RM10 million fine. The Attorney General's Office filed an appeal against this acquittal in the Federal Court the following day.
Syed Saddiq faced charges of abetting Rafiq Hakim Razali, the then assistant treasurer of Armada, in misappropriating RM1 million from Armada funds. Additional charges included misappropriating RM120,000 from Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise and two money laundering transactions involving RM50,000 transferred to his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account.
Commenting on the postponement, deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin acknowledged the situation as normal, expressing wishes for Judge Che Ruzima's speedy recovery. Meanwhile, Syed Saddiq's lawyer, Hisyam, remarked on the unusual nature of the postponement in his legal experience.
Syed Saddiq expressed his respect for the court's decision, acknowledging the importance of due process and the judicial institution's role in ensuring justice. "This case has been ongoing for six years, and my focus remains on clearing my name," he stated, showing readiness to wait for the upcoming decision.
Earlier today, media personnel and supporters of Syed Saddiq gathered at the Palace of Justice anticipating the court's decision. Accompanying Syed Saddiq were his parents and fianc©e, actress Bella Astillah.