PUTRAJAYA: Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman says he will continue fighting to clear his name, integrity and dignity after the Federal Court postponed its decision on the prosecution's final appeal against his acquittal.
The verdict, which had been scheduled for Tuesday (June 30), was deferred to July 13 after one of the judges on the three-member panel, Justice Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali, went on medical leave.
Speaking to reporters outside the Palace of Justice, Syed Saddiq said he respected the court's decision and remained committed to seeking justice through the country's judicial system.
"I want to obtain justice not through shortcuts or special treatment, but through a process based on facts and evidence under the judicial institution itself," he said.
The former youth and sports minister said the postponement was unexpected and had not been among the scenarios discussed with his legal team ahead of the ruling.
"This is not something we planned for. It was not in our books.
"But for me personally, this is not a new battle. For six years, I have been fighting to obtain justice and to clear my name, my integrity and my dignity.
"If I have to wait another two weeks, I accept it and will remain patient," he said.
Syed Saddiq said he had hoped today would bring closure to a legal battle that had stretched over six years but would now continue preparing with his lawyers and family for the next court date.
Asked whether the postponement would affect his political plans in Johor, Syed Saddiq said his immediate priority remained the court proceedings.
He also stressed that he respected the judiciary and understood that health-related matters involving judges were beyond anyone's control.
"When it involves health issues, we must respect that, especially when it concerns the judicial institution that I hold in the highest regard.
"As a lawmaker, I must give the highest respect to the institution," he added.
Syed Saddiq said he had prepared himself mentally for any outcome, whether favourable or otherwise, before arriving at court.
However, he maintained that he had always been confident of his innocence since the investigation first began.
"From the first day I was investigated, even before I was charged, I was confident.
"Not because of politics or because I thought I could escape responsibility, but because I knew that justice was on my side.
"It is easier to fight when you know the truth and justice are clear," he said.
Earlier, Court of Appeal president Justice Abu Bakar Jais said the judgment had been prepared but could not be delivered as Justice Ruzima was unable to attend proceedings due to medical leave.
The prosecution is seeking to overturn the Court of Appeal's decision to acquit and discharge Syed Saddiq on four charges involving criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property and money laundering.
On June 25 last year, the appellate court unanimously allowed Syed Saddiq's appeal, setting aside his conviction and sentence after ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Meanwhile, Syed Saddiq's counsel, Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, described the postponement as unprecedented in his decades-long legal career.
"This has never happened before. It is the first time in our practice and the first time in our experience," he said.
Hisyam said the defence was informed in court that the written judgment had already been prepared but could not be delivered because one of the judges was unavailable.
The Federal Court has fixed July 13 for the delivery of its decision.
