9-11-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) In a significant development, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman was handed a seven-year prison sentence and a fine of RM10 million (approximately S$2.9 million) on Thursday. He was found guilty on all counts of abetting in criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of funds, and money laundering.
The 30-year-old lawmaker, representing a youth-centric party, has the distinction of being the first politician to receive a whipping sentence for corruption. Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin confirmed this, stating that such a punishment applies to male offenders under 50 years old.
Following the verdict, the former Minister of Youth and Sports announced his decision to step down as president of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) but intends to remain an MP while he appeals his case.
In September, Muda withdrew its support from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan coalition after corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi were dropped by the prosecution.
Speaking at a press conference after meeting with party leaders, Syed Saddiq stated, “Muda is bigger than me, Syed Saddiq; the role of the president is of utmost importance, with a high threshold. While I appeal against the conviction, I don’t deserve that role, and I need to clear my name in a court of law. I owe a duty not only to the public but also to the party members and leaders. It is essential to send a clear message that Malaysians deserve better in politics, and even if it may hurt me, I must walk the talk in defending this principle.”
He added that Deputy President Amira Aisya would serve as the acting party president. The Speaker of Parliament, Johari Abdul, confirmed that the high-profile MP is not required to vacate his seat until he has exhausted all legal avenues to clear his name.
Syed Saddiq later told reporters outside the court that he respected the court’s decision but would file an appeal at the Court of Appeal. He expressed readiness to face public criticism following the verdict, stating, “To be the kind of leader who can do the best for the country, one must be whiter than white to realize the Malaysian dream. I will accept any criticism because I am no different from any other person in this country.”
Syed Saddiq embraced his parents after speaking to the press, and his mother was in tears.
On Thursday morning, the High Court issued the sentence after the defense failed to establish reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case. The court granted Syed Saddiq’s request to stay the execution of his sentence while he appeals. On March 14, the defense concluded its case after calling Syed Saddiq and three other witnesses, including Armada information chief Ulya Aqamah Husamudin, Mohamed Amshar Aziz, and Siti Nurul Hidayah, who were Syed Saddiq’s former special officer and former private secretary, respectively.
Armada is the youth wing of Syed Saddiq’s former party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), co-founded by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Syed Saddiq was charged with abetting Bersatu assistant treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali, who was entrusted with RM1 million of Armada’s funds, in committing criminal breach of trust by misappropriating the money. The offense allegedly took place at the KL Sentral CIMB Bank branch on March 6, 2020, during the Perikatan Nasional government’s tenure, comprising Bersatu.
On the second charge, Syed Saddiq was accused of misappropriating RM120,000 from Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise’s Maybank Islamic account by instructing Rafiq to dispose of the money, an offense allegedly committed between April 8 and 21 in 2018.
He also faced two counts of money laundering, each involving transactions of RM50,000, believed to be proceeds from unlawful activities, transferred from his Maybank Islamic account to his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account at a bank in Johor Bahru on June 16 and 19 in 2018.
