7 years' jail, rotan against 'public figure' Syed Saddiq justified, rules judge

 

The Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that the seven-year jail term, two rotan strokes and RM10 million fine against Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman is appropriate as young people looked up to the Muar MP.

In a written grounds of judgment dated yesterday, trial judge Azhar Abdul Hamid said the punishment was justified as the criminal court took judicial notice of the constant recurring incidents of criminal breach of trust (CBT) and misappropriation.

“The accused is a public figure, a parliamentarian who is idolised by youths are also taken into account.

“The 1977 case of Harun Idris and Others against Public Prosecutor states that there is a need for public figures to give a good example to others.

“As a parliamentarian and idol of youths, it is only appropriate for the accused to be held to a higher standard and show a good example to continue to be followed by youths, as well as carry out responsibility as a person chosen by the people of Muar to stand up for their rights,” the judge remarked.

Azhar said the court took note that it was Syed Saddiq’s first offence and that the accused was still young for the sentencing.

“In this age, the accused still has much time to realise and atone for the mistake he committed as well as learn a lesson from what happened,” the judge said about the 31-year-old former Muda president.

Sentence imposed

On Nov 9 last year, the High Court imposed the sentence after finding Syed Saddiq guilty of four charges involving CBT, misappropriation of property, and money laundering linked to RM1.12 million of Bersatu Youth funds.

However, Azhar allowed the former Bersatu Youth president’s application to stay the execution of all the sentences pending disposal of the accused’s ongoing appeal at the Court of Appeal.

The Muar MP was charged with abetting former Bersatu Youth assistant treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali, who was entrusted with RM1 million of Bersatu Youth funds, to commit CBT with the money.

The offence was purportedly committed at CIMB Bank Berhad, Menara CIMB KL Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2 on March 6, 2020.

The charge was framed under Section 406 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, whipping, and fine.

On the second charge, Syed Saddiq is accused of misappropriating RM120,000 from Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise’s Maybank Islamic Berhad account by making Rafiq dispose of the funds.

Syed Saddiq allegedly committed the offence at Malayan Banking Bhd, Jalan Pandan 3/6A, Taman Pandan Jaya - between April 8 and 21, 2018.

The charge was framed under Section 403 of the Penal Code, which is punishable with a maximum of five years imprisonment, whipping and a fine.

Syed Saddiq also faced two counts of money laundering, via transactions of RM50,000 each, alleged to be proceeds from unlawful activities, from his Maybank Islamic Berhad account into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account in a bank at Jalan Persisiran Perling, Taman Perling, Johor Baru, on June 16 and 19, 2018.

The charges were framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which is punishable by up to 15 years in jail, and a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the proceeds of an unlawful activity. - Mkini