Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman ordered for part of RM1 million to be distributed to two Bersatu Youth members, following the MACC coming to his house to investigate his report over an alleged missing of RM250,000, the Kuala Lumpur High Court heard.
Bersatu Youth treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali testified today that he was directed to do this by the then youth chief regarding RM900,000 of party funds.
The prosecution witness claimed this during the misappropriation trial against the former youth and sports minister involving RM1.2 million of funds from Bersatu youth.
After being booted out of Bersatu, the accused formed Muda in 2020.
During examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Wan Shahruddin Wan Ladin, Rafiq alleged that between late March and early April 2020, he received a call from Syed Saddiq to distribute the RM900,000 to two Bersatu members.
Rafiq was referring to Muhammad Daniel Kusari, who is Federal Territories Bersatu Youth information chief, and tailor Muhammad Naqib Ab Rahim.
Rafiq claimed that on Syed Saddiq's orders, he distributed RM650,000 to Daniel and RM250,000 to Naqib, while RM100,000 was used for programmes by Bersatu youth.
Wan Shaharuddin: In this case, you were told the money was to be distributed to Daniel and Naqib. What caused you to distribute the money?
Rafiq: From what I remember, I received a Whatsapp call from Syed Saddiq around March or April. He said that MACC came to his house to check, so he ordered me to clear the money that I held at the time, hence I distributed it to Naqib and Daniel.
Wan: Did you understand what the MACC was investigating?
Rafiq: Yes, it was in regard to the case of the missing RM250,000. The MACC went to his house to investigate.
In March 2020, it was reported that the Muar MP lodged a police report over the RM250,000 that allegedly went missing from his house in Petaling Jaya.
During open-court proceedings before judicial commissioner Azhar Abdul Hamid, Rafiq testified that Syed Saddiq directed him to withdraw the RM1 million from Bersatu Youth’s bank account on March 6, 2020.
The witness claimed that Syed Saddiq gave the order to take out the money to be used for youth programmes because there was a party election at the time, and the money was “for the use of Syed Saddiq’s camp”.
Rafiq said he contacted a banker at CIMB to withdraw a large amount of money in s single transaction via cashing a cheque signed by him.
The witness agreed with Wan Shaharuddin that if not for Syed Saddiq’s order, the RM1 million money would not have been withdrawn.
Rafiq claimed that Syed Saddiq’s order came just after the Sheraton Move in February 2020, which saw the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration take over from the previous Pakatan Harapan government. Bersatu left Harapan to back PN.
Withdrawal of RM1 million
Yesterday, Bersatu Youth assistant secretary Ahmad Redzuan Mohamed Shafi testified that Syed Saddiq ordered for the RM1 million to be taken out.
Redzuan claimed the order was given to him and Rafiq during a meeting at the Muar MP’s house in Petaling Jaya.
The witness claimed that Syed Saddiq wanted the cash withdrawn to strengthen his position in the wing, due to alleged concern that there would be a change of leadership in Bersatu Youth following the Sheraton Move.
Redzuan alleged that Syed Saddiq’s order was against Bersatu’s procedure, as any withdrawal of cash over RM500,000 must receive approval from Bersatu supreme council and be accompanied by the appropriate paperwork.
Proceedings before Azhar will continue this afternoon.
Previously at the Sessions Court, Syed Saddiq claimed trial for two charges of misappropriation involving RM1.12 million from Bersatu Youth.
The former Bersatu Youth chief also pleaded not guilty to two counts of abetting money laundering, whereby each alleged transaction involved RM50,000.
According to the two abetment charges framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, he was accused of being involved in the transfer of the funds on two occasions on June 16 and 19, 2018.
On each occasion at Maybank Islamic Berhad, Taman Perling in Johor Bahru, he was alleged to have transferred RM50,000 from his Maybank Islamic Bhd account to his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account.
The four charges were later transferred to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.- Mkini
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