Federal Court Ruling Today Set to Determine Syed Saddiq’s Political Future

PUTRAJAYA: What lies ahead for Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s political career? That is the question that will be answered today when the Federal Court delivers its verdict on whether he will be acquitted or convicted on four charges relating to the Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada) funds.

This is because under Article 48(1)(e) of the Federal Constitution, a person is disqualified from contesting elections if sentenced to imprisonment of at least one year or fined at least RM2,000, or both. The same provision also stipulates that a sitting MP may lose his seat if such a sentence is imposed.

Today marks the decision on the prosecution’s appeal against Syed Saddiq’s acquittal, to be delivered by a panel led by Court of Appeal President Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Jais, together with Federal Court judges Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali and Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah. The ruling—whether unanimous or by a 2-1 majority—will determine his fate.

Under the first charge, Syed Saddiq is accused of abetting then-Armada assistant treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali, who was entrusted with RM1 million in Armada funds, to commit criminal breach of trust by misappropriating the money at CIMB Bank Berhad, Menara CIMB KL Sentral, here, on 6 March 2020. The charge under Section 406 of the Penal Code carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, whipping and a fine.

For the second charge, he is accused of dishonestly misappropriating RM120,000 from the Maybank Islamic Berhad account belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise by instructing Rafiq Hakim to dispose of the money at Malayan Banking Berhad, Jalan Pandan 3/6A, Taman Pandan Jaya, between 8 and 21 April 2018. This charge under Section 403 of the Penal Code carries imprisonment of between six months and five years, whipping and a fine.

Syed Saddiq also faces two money laundering charges involving transfers of RM50,000 each from his Maybank Islamic Berhad account to his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account, alleged to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The offences were allegedly committed at a bank in Jalan Persisiran Perling, Taman Perling, Johor Bahru, on 16 and 19 June 2018. The charges under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 carry a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to five times the value of the proceeds involved.

The prosecution had filed a petition of appeal at the Federal Court with 28 grounds, seeking to reinstate the High Court’s conviction and sentence that was set aside by a unanimous three-judge Court of Appeal panel on 25 June last year.

Syed Saddiq was acquitted and discharged by the Court of Appeal after the appellate court allowed his appeal against the High Court’s decision.

Syed Saddiq is now engaged to actress and singer Bella Astillah, with their engagement taking place on 28 March. He has said their bond was formed out of love for Bella’s children, Mohamad Ayden Adrean and Ara Adreanna, whom he hopes will accept his presence in their lives.

Kosmo Online