KUALA LUMPUR: Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has stepped down as Muda president with immediate effect following his conviction for corruption in the High Court, but will continue as the Muar MP.
“The presidential institution must be ‘whiter than white’ because the responsibility is extraordinary.
“I don’t deserve the role anymore. We have made the decision that I will vacate my position as the president while I clear my name through the court process,” he said at a press conference after a meeting with the party’s leadership on Thursday (Nov 9).
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Syed Saddiq said Puteri Wangsa assemblyman Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz will act as the president following the decision made by the party’s central executive committee.
He added that he will not be involved in any of the party's decision-making but will remain as a member to support Muda.
He also said that while there is no issue for him to continue to head the party, he has the responsibility to ensure that the presidential institution is placed at a higher threshold.
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"Muda is bigger than me, Syed Saddiq, the institution of presidency is such an important role where the threshold is very high.
“While I appeal (the conviction), I don’t deserve that role and I need to clear my name in the court of law. This is not the case where the charge was just made or at a prima facie stage.
“I owe the duty not only to the public but also to the party members and leaders,” he said.
Syed Syadiq said he will, however, continue his role as an MP serving his constituency Muar in Johor.
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Amira Aisya said the decision made today is a signal for Muda to continue its struggles despite having to move on without Syed Saddiq's leadership.
“Muda is bigger than Syed Saddiq. Muda is more than just an individual.
"Moving forward, as the acting president, we will keep working on the struggles and will never stop,” she said.
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Earlier on Thursday (Nov 9), Syed Saddiq, 30, was found guilty and sentenced to seven years' jail, a RM10mil fine and two strokes of the cane for four charges of abetting in criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of funds and money laundering involving RM1.2mil.
However, the High Court here allowed his application to stay the execution of all sentences pending appeal.
High Court judge Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid also allowed the defence's request to maintain bail at RM330,000.
