Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has been acquitted of all corruption and money laundering charges after the Federal Court, in a majority decision, dismissed the prosecution’s appeal and upheld last year’s Court of Appeal ruling.
The three-member bench ruled that there was no basis to interfere with the Court of Appeal’s decision, bringing to an end a legal battle that lasted several years and threatened to derail the former youth and sports minister’s political career.
Justices Ruzima Ghazali and Collin Lawrence Sequerah formed the majority, while Justice Abu Bakar Jais delivered a dissenting opinion.
Syed Saddiq says justice has prevailed
Speaking to reporters after the decision, Syed Saddiq described the outcome as a reaffirmation of his faith in Malaysia’s judiciary, saying the long legal process had shown that justice ultimately prevailed.
He expressed gratitude to God, the judges who heard his case at every stage, and his legal team for their unwavering support throughout the proceedings.
“I bear no grudges whatsoever,” he said, adding that he would continue defending the integrity and independence of the judiciary in his role as a Member of Parliament.
He also urged Malaysians to remain steadfast in upholding their principles.
“When you are pushed into a corner and see no hope or light at the end of the tunnel, do not ever abandon your principles, your integrity and your dignity for an easy way out,” he said.
He added that he hoped Malaysia would continue strengthening its institutions, saying his commitment to helping rebuild the country remained unchanged.
“The fire to help rebuild Malaysia will never, ever be extinguished.”
Asked about his political future, Syed Saddiq said he would first spend time with his family and settle his personal affairs before making any decisions.
Court dismisses prosecution’s appeal
The Federal Court unanimously dismissed the prosecution’s appeal on the charge of abetting criminal breach of trust, with all three judges agreeing that the conviction could not stand.
On the remaining charges involving dishonest misappropriation of property and two counts of money laundering, the majority upheld the Court of Appeal’s acquittal, while Abu Bakar dissented and held that the High Court’s convictions should be restored.
Abu Bakar said he would have sentenced Syed Saddiq to six months’ imprisonment, one stroke of the rotan and a RM10 million fine. However, the proposed sentence has no legal effect as it formed part of the minority judgment.
Earlier, lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik thanked the defence team, including Gobind Singh Deo and Yusuf Zainal Abiden, for their contributions throughout the trial and appeal. He said the unanimous and majority decisions had vindicated the defence’s case.
Syed Saddiq had faced one charge of abetting criminal breach of trust involving RM1 million in Bersatu Youth funds, one charge of dishonest misappropriation of RM120,000 from Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise’s bank account, and two money laundering charges involving RM50,000 each transferred into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account in June 2018.
The High Court previously convicted him on all four charges before the Court of Appeal unanimously overturned the convictions.
