Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman will have to wait for about two more weeks to learn his fate over his criminal breach of trust, money laundering and funds misappropriation charges as the Federal Court postponed today’s proceeding.
Court of Appeal president Abu Bakar Jais, who appeared on the bench alone this morning, heading the three-judge Federal Court panel, informed the parties that one of the presiding judges, Che Ruzima Ghazali, was on medical leave.
“I would like to explain the situation. (Judge) Collin Lawrence Sequerah and I are in court. However, Che Ruzima is not with us, as we were informed that he is unwell… he is on medical leave today and tomorrow.
“We are ready with the decision, but this is the unfortunate event that happened.
“We’re ready to give our decision on July 13. There’s no two ways about it. We think we need to deliver the decision on (that date).
“We (could have told) the registry (yesterday) to inform the parties that the decision could not be delivered today… but it was late in the day (and) I thought it would not be proper to do that.
“That is why I’m on the bench today, to inform everyone,” Abu Bakar said, confirming the proceeding had been rescheduled to July 13.
The Federal Court was initially set to deliver its verdict today on the prosecution’s appeal over Syed Saddiq’s acquittal from the charges linked to funds from Bersatu Youth.
‘Health must be prioritised’
While Syed Saddiq’s counsel Hisyam Teh Pok Teik described the postponement as unprecedented in his experience, the lawmaker said one’s health must always be prioritised.
“Health issues are beyond my control. I, personally, need to respect (the postponement)… especially involving the judicial institution that I hold in high regard.
“I understand this is unexpected, which is why offering comments is quite difficult for me. It is not something that we planned,” he said.
Also present with Syed Saddiq in court were his family members and fellow politicians Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, Muda president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, Bersatu vice-president Radzi Jidin, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim, as well as former Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun.
Syed Saddiq said that he has been fighting for justice for the last six years and therefore, he was prepared to wait another two weeks to clear his name.
Meanwhile, prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin said his team prayed for Che Ruzima’s recovery.
“These things happen. It is normal. We just need to be patient,” he said.
Separately, Amira took to X and said: “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Four corruption charges
Syed Saddiq was charged in 2021 with four corruption offences - one under Section 403 of the Penal Code for misappropriating RM120,000 from Bersatu Youth Enterprise’s Maybank Islamic Bhd account by making Rafiq Hakim Razali dispose of the funds between April 8 and 21, 2018.
Rafiq was Bersatu Youth’s former assistant treasurer and was also the prosecution’s key witness in this case.
Apart from this, Syed Saddiq, who is the former Muda president, was charged under Section 406 of the Penal Code for abetting Rafiq, who was entrusted with Bersatu Youth’s funds amounting to RM1 million, to commit criminal breach of trust on March 6, 2020.
He was also charged with two counts of money laundering via transactions of RM50,000 each from his Maybank Islamic account into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera accounts on June 16 and 19, 2018, framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. - Mkini
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