Syed Saddiq guilty of CBT, asset misappropriation and money laundering
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was found guilty of abetting criminal breach of trust (CBT), misappropriation of assets and money laundering.
Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid who heard the case said that the prosecution proved presented the case against the Muda president beyond reasonable doubt.
Syed Saddiq who was Bersatu youth chief was convicted of abetting with Bersatu youth wing’s former assistant treasurer, Rafiq Hakim, in the commission of CBT of RM1 million at CIMB Bank Bhd at Menara CIMB KL Sentral on March 6, 2020.
He was also convicted for misusing RM120,000 from the bank account belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise for himself by causing Rafiq to dispose of the money at Malayan Banking Bhd in Taman Pandan Jaya here between April 8 and 21, 2018.
In addition to that, Syed Saddiq was convicted on money laundering involving proceeds from unlawful activities of RM50,000 each transferred from his Maybank Islamic Bhd account into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account at a bank in Taman Perling, Johor Bahru, on June 16 and 19, 2018.
The court will now hear Syed Saddiq’s mitigation plea via lead counsel Gobind Singh Deo and submissions from both prosecution and defence before pronouncing punishment.
He is facing a maximum 15 years imprisonment, fine and whipping, depending on the court’s decision.
7 years prison, 2 strokes of cane and RM10 million fine
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin called for Syed Saddiq to be sentenced to a minimum of six years imprisonment, RM 7 million in fine and six to 10 strokes of caning.
“It is compulsory to cane based on precedent cases. Hence, we call for the imprisonment separately,” he said.
Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid sentenced Syed Saddiq to seven years of imprisonment, two strokes of the cane and RM10 million in fine.
Azhar also allowed a stay application against the execution of all sentences pending an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
Appealing to Court of Appeal
Syed Saddiq meanwhile confirmed that he would be appealing his case at the Court of Appeal.
“We have a good case to file at the Court of Appeal. It is the best platform for me to clear my good name,” he said.
“I have personally made my mind on what I want to do.
In addition to that he said his party would make its stand on this matter today at 4 pm and the decision will be announced in a press conference held after that.
Gobind meanwhile confirmed that he would be filing an appeal against the conviction to the Court of Appeal this evening and request for an early hearing date.