PETALING JAYA – Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman is no longer the president of youth-based party Muda, effective immediately, after being found guilty of two counts of money laundering, one count of criminal breach of trust (CBT), and one count of misappropriating funds amounting to RM1.12 million.
Party deputy president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz will now be acting president.
This unanimous decision was made following a meeting with party members after the guilty verdict earlier today.
“In order to be Muda president, what more (is needed) than becoming a nation builder in which we share the same vision in making Malaysia a developed country.
“A matter of fact is that today, I do not deserve that role anymore. I am no longer part of that group,” he told a press conference at the party’s headquarters today.
The Muar MP said whoever takes on the role of Muda’s leader should be “whiter than white”, adding that no one – including himself – was bigger than a party that was founded by all its members and the people.
He also said he will be supporting the party as a regular member, while he fights to clear his name in court.
Asked why he made the decision despite still having avenues to appeal, Syed Saddiq said it was a matter of principle.
“I need to walk the talk. This isn’t a matter of legality or bureaucracy. This is a matter of principle.
“When I joined politics, I wanted to cleanse it, and I’ll do whatever it takes. I have to put a higher threshold on myself, just as I hoped the threshold is elevated for (Malaysian) politics.”
Earlier today, Syed Saddiq was found guilty of all four of his criminal charges – including money laundering, fund misappropriation, and CBT – after high court judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid found no merit in his defence.
He was subsequently sentenced to nine years in jail, two whips, and a fine amounting to RM10 million. He is to serve a total of seven years in jail, as the sentences for money laundering run concurrently.
However, defence counsel Gobind Singh Deo, said Syed Saddiq will get to keep his MPship until he has exhausted all avenues of appeal.
As such, he is also allowed to attend parliamentary sittings and vote in any motions.
Syed Saddiq was first brought to court in 2021 to face the four charges.
The trial at the prosecution stage began in June of last year, while the judge ordered Syed Saddiq to enter his defence in October of the same year. – November 9, 2023