This morning, Muar MP Syed Saddiq was found innocent of a list of corruption charges after a panel of three judges unanimously ruled in his favour.
However, the end may still not be in sight as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) revealed an appeal will be made against his acquittal.
Prosecution to appeal agasint Syed Saddiq’s acquittal
During a press conference held at MACC’s headquarters, its Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said he was informed by the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) that there were already plans to take the case to the Federal Court regardless of today’s outcome.
The DPP informed me that if a different decision had been made, an appeal to the Federal Court would still have been pursued.
“I do not feel disappointed or pleased when I investigate any case and I hold no personal feelings against those involved,” he said when asked for comment on Syed Saddiq’s acquittal, reported Malay Mail.
Summary of case
In 2021, Syed Saddiq was accused of conspiring with Bersatu assistant treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali to commit criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM1 million of the organisation’s funds during his tenure as Bersatu Youth chief.
He was also accused of misusing RM120,000 from a bank account belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise for personal gain, causing Rafiq to dispose of the money.
Two counts of money laundering involving two transactions of RM50,000 each, believed to be from unlawful activities, was also brought against him, reported NST.
On November 9, 2023, the KL High Court found him guilty on all charges, sentencing him to seven years in prison, a RM10 million fine, and two strokes of the cane.
However, Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Noorin Badaruddin stated that the prosecution failed to prove that Syed Saddiq had any dishonest intent when instructing the withdrawal of RM1 million from ARMADA’s fund in March 2020.
He added the lower court had erred in failing to properly evaluate the evidence and the legal elements required to prove the charges against the Muar MP.
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