KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution will proceed with its appeal against Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s acquittal in his corruption case, following the Federal Court’s instruction to review its prosecutorial direction.
The prosecution said in a letter yesterday that the Attorney General had instructed it to continue with the appeal and to accept whatever decision is reached by the Federal Court. It is understood that the letter was sent to the Federal Court’s deputy registrar yesterday morning.
When contacted, deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin said the prosecution remained confident in the strength of its case against Syed Saddiq.
“Given that both the prosecution and Syed Saddiq’s counsel have already presented arguments on the key issues in this appeal, we leave it to the wisdom of the Federal Court panel to make its decision,” he said.
On Dec 12, the Federal Court paused proceedings in the prosecution’s appeal against Syed Saddiq’s acquittal on charges of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property and money laundering involving funds from Bersatu’s youth wing, Armada.
In an unprecedented move, Court of Appeal president Justice Abu Bakar Jais, who was heading a three-judge panel, said the prosecution must deliberate and formally declare its position on whether to proceed with the appeal.
“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,” Justice Abu Bakar said, following oral submissions from both the prosecution and defence.
Federal Court judges Justices Che Mohd Ruzima Razali and Collin Lawrence Sequerah also sat on the bench.
On June 25, the Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged Syed Saddiq after allowing his appeal to set aside his conviction and sentence of seven years’ impri sonment, two strokes of the cane and a RM10mil fine, which had been imposed by the High Court on Nov 9, 2023.
The following day, the Attorney General’s Chambers filed an appeal to the Federal Court.
Syed Saddiq was accused of abetting Rafiq Hakim in the criminal breach of trust involving RM1mil belonging to Armada, held at CIMB Bank Bhd, KL Sentral, on March 6, 2020.
He was charged under Section 406 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, caning and a fine.
He also faced a separate charge of misappropriating RM120,000 belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise under Section 403 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of between six months’ and five years’ imprisonment, caning and a fine.
