PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has given the prosecution a one-week “cooling-off” period to review its appeal against the acquittal of Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman on charges involving Bersatu’s youth wing (Armada) funds.
Court of Appeal president Justice Abu Bakar Jais said the prosecution must deliberate and formally declare its position on whether to proceed with the appeal after one week.
“I hope you go back and discuss. If you are still capable of proving your case, proceed... but if, upon review, you find it is not sufficiently strong, then you must notify us.
“Whether you are in the Caribbean or some other exotic location, frankly, we do not care. We will not render any decision at this time.
“The parties must inform us within one week,” said Justice Abu Bakar, Bernama reported.
The court adjourned after submissions from the prosecution and defence counsel on the appeal involving Syed Saddiq’s acquittal from charges of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property and money laundering.
Justice Abu Bakar, sitting alongside Federal Court judges Justices Che Mohd Ruzima Razali and Collin Lawrence Sequerah, said that during his tenure as a deputy public prosecutor in the Attorney General’s Chambers, it was standard practice to convene meetings and review submissions.
On June 25, the Court of Appeal freed Syed Saddiq after allowing his appeal to set aside his conviction and the sentence of seven years’ imprisonment, two strokes of the cane and a RM10mil fine, originally handed down by the High Court on Nov 9, 2023.
Syed Saddiq was accused of abetting Rafiq Hakim in the criminal breach of trust of RM1mil belonging to Armada at CIMB Bank Bhd, KL Sentral, on March 6, 2020.
He also faced a separate charge of misappropriating RM120,000 belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise.
The former youth and sports minister was also charged with money laundering through the transfer of RM50,000 into his personal Amanah Saham Bumiputera account.
