Kuala Lumpur: The decision regarding the appeal of Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman against his conviction and sentence for abetting criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property, and money laundering involving Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada) funds is scheduled for June 25. This update was provided by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, who shared the information with reporters today. Lawyer Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, representing Syed Saddiq, also confirmed the date.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the date was determined during a case management session conducted via Zoom before Court of Appeal deputy registrar Muhammad Noor Firdaus Rosli. The prosecution and defense had previously concluded their arguments on April 17 before a panel of three Court of Appeal judges: Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Azman Abdullah, and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin.
On November 9, 2023, Syed Saddiq was sentenced to seven years in prison with two strokes of the cane and a fine of RM10 million by the Kuala Lumpur High Court. The conviction was based on four counts related to abetting criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property, and money laundering involving Armada funds.
Syed Saddiq, aged 32, was accused of assisting former assistant treasurer of Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada) Rafiq Hakim Razali, who was responsible for Armada funds amounting to RM1 million, in committing criminal breach of trust by misusing the funds. This act was reportedly carried out at CIMB Bank Berhad, Menara CIMB KL Sentral, Jalan Sentral 2, on March 6, 2020, under Section 406 of the Penal Code. This section carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison with caning and may include a fine, if convicted.
The second charge involved the misappropriation of RM120,000 from the Maybank Islamic Berhad account of Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise, where Syed Saddiq allegedly caused Rafiq Hakim to dispose of the money. This act took place at Malayan Banking Berhad, Jalan Pandan 3/6A, Taman Pandan Jaya, between April 8 and 21, 2018, under Section 403 of the Penal Code, which includes a minimum prison sentence of six months and a maximum of five years with whipping and may include a fine, if convicted.
Additionally, Syed Saddiq faces two charges of engaging in money laundering by transferring RM50,000 each from his Maybank Islamic Berhad account to his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account, which was identified as the proceeds of illegal activities. These transactions reportedly occurred at a bank in Jalan Persisiran Perling, Taman Perling, Johor Bahru, on June 16 and 19, 2018, under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. Conviction under this section can result in a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a fine of five times the amount or proceeds of the illegal activity.