Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, a Muar MP, was cleared of all corruption and money laundering accusations after Malaysia’s Court of Appeal ruled that the previous trial had “seriously” misapplied the law.
The former Youth and Sports Minister faced four allegations, including criminal breach of trust, theft, and money laundering involving more than RM1 million in party funds.
Court Overturns Conviction
In a unanimous decision, the three-judge panel—Justices Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Azman Abdullah, and Noorin Badaruddin—ruled that the trial judge failed to properly assess the full evidence and had misinterpreted key facts and legal principles.
The court found no proof that Syed Saddiq acted dishonestly when he instructed the withdrawal of funds from Bersatu Youth’s Armada account in 2020.
The court found that Syed Saddiq used the withdrawn RM1 million for Armada programmes and did not misuse it for personal gain. It also ruled that the RM120,000 in question came from fundraising efforts for his 2018 election campaign. As such, the court ruled that the funds essentially belonged to him and were not subject to charges under criminal law.
Trial Judge Made “Serious Errors”
Justice Noorin stated that the trial judge had wrongly equated the act of withdrawing money with its dishonest disposal—an incorrect application of Malaysia’s Penal Code. The court also criticised the lower court for relying on testimony given under pressure from the anti-graft agency, failing to properly assess contradictions in the prosecution’s case, and not giving due weight to the defence.
As a result, Syed Saddiq’s seven-year prison sentence, two strokes of the cane, and RM10 million fine were all set aside.
A High-Profile Turnaround
The 31-year-old politician had been convicted in November 2023 for allegedly abetting the misuse of funds when he was Bersatu Youth chief. The charges also included transferring RM100,000 from a company account linked to the youth wing into his own. These convictions had threatened to derail his political career, especially after he left Bersatu to form his own youth-based political party, MUDA.
His legal team had argued all along that he acted within his legal rights and did not personally benefit from the funds. The appellate court’s decision not only overturns his conviction but also restores his political credibility.
Implications for Future Cases
The case has sparked significant interest across Malaysia and neighbouring Singapore, where political transparency is a key concern. Legal observers say the ruling sets a precedent for stricter standards in evaluating corruption cases, especially those involving public figures.
Deputy public prosecutors have said they will review the judgment before deciding on a possible appeal to the Federal Court.
For now, Syed Saddiq remains a free man—and politically intact.
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