Judge on Sick Leave, Syed Saddiq’s Final Appeal Decision Postponed to 13 July
PUTRAJAYA: The final appeal decision of the prosecution against the acquittal of Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman on four charges of conspiracy to commit criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property and money laundering (AMLA) involving funds of the Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada), has been postponed to 13 July.
The matter was informed by judge Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Jais following a panel judge, Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Razali, being on sick leave today and tomorrow.
According to him, the absence of Che Mohd Ruzima was deemed inappropriate for delivering the decision today.
“I would like to explain the situation. I, together with the honourable Datuk Collin (Lawrence Sequerah), are present in court (the Federal Court) today.
“However, the honourable Ruzima is not with us because we were informed that he is unwell and on leave today and tomorrow.
“Given such circumstances, we are unable to deliver the decision today as it would not be proper (to deliver the decision) without the presence of a panel judge,” he said.
In proceedings that began at 9.30 a.m. today, he, who is also the President of the Court of Appeal, informed that the decision was ready to be delivered on 13 July.
“I was informed of this matter (sick leave) late yesterday evening, and it was too late to inform everyone,” he said.
Earlier, media reported that Syed Saddiq would find out his fate today, whether he remains free or again faces imprisonment on four charges of conspiracy to commit criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property and money laundering.
Under the first charge, Syed Saddiq is accused of conspiring with Rafiq Hakim Razali, who was the Assistant Treasurer of Armada, entrusted with funds amounting to RM1 million, to commit criminal breach of trust by misappropriating the funds.
The act was allegedly committed at CIMB Bank Berhad, Menara CIMB KL Sentral, Jalan Sentral 2, Kuala Lumpur, on 6 March 2020, under Section 406 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, whipping and a fine, if found guilty.
For the second charge, the accused was charged with misappropriating property for his own benefit, namely RM120,000 from the Maybank Islamic Berhad account belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise (ABBE), by causing Rafiq to dispose of the money.
Syed Saddiq was charged with committing the act at Malayan Banking Berhad, Taman Pandan Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, between 8 and 21 April 2018, under Section 403 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, whipping and a fine.
He also faces two charges of money laundering, namely transferring RM50,000 each from his Maybank Islamic Berhad account to his Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) account, alleged to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Syed Saddiq was charged with committing the acts at a bank in Jalan Persisiran Perling, Taman Perling, Johor Bahru, on 16 and 19 June 2018.
The prosecution was made under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 and is punishable under Section 4(1) of the same Act.
If convicted, Syed Saddiq faces a maximum imprisonment of 15 years and a fine of five times the amount or value of the proceeds of unlawful activities.
Harian Metro