KUALA LUMPUR – Public interest amid a hike in breach of trust and funds misappropriation cases played a crucial role in the high court’s decision to sentence Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman to nine years imprisonment and two lashes of the cane.
In the grounds of judgment for four criminal breach of trust (CBT), dishonest misappropriation and money laundering charges levelled against the sole Muda parliamentarian, judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid said a stern reminder had to be issued to the public.
“Public interest was a key factor in the court’s considerations (as) it takes judicial notice of the increasing frequency of breach of trust and misappropriation cases brought before the judiciary nowadays.
“As such, a clear and firm reminder is necessary for the public (to understand that) the court seriously regards the matter,” the justice said in his 22-page grounds of judgment, released yesterday.
On November 9 last year, Syed Saddiq, in his capacity as a former Bersatu Youth chief, was found guilty of one charge of CBT involving over RM1 million belonging to the party wing as well as another count of dishonest misappropriation of property totalling over RM120,000 also belonging to Bersatu Youth.
He was also found guilty on two counts of money laundering for transferring to his personal account a total of RM100,000 from a Bersatu Youth-linked company, Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise (ABBE).
The court had imposed, respectively, a three-year and two-year jail sentence for the CBT and dishonest misappropriation charges. Syed Saddiq was also sentenced to two years in jail and a fine of RM2 million for each of the money laundering charges.
However, the lawmaker only needs to serve a total of seven years in prison as the punishments for the money laundering charges are to run concurrently.
The judge also said that Syed Saddiq’s status as a public figure and member of parliament idolised by youths was an influential factor in the verdict, noting that the accused should be held to a higher standard and continue to inspire young people.
Noting the responsibilities held by Syed Saddiq as a representative of his Muar constituents, the judge said that the court also considered how this was the accused’s first offence.
“At his young age, the accused still has a lot of time to realise and rectify his past mistakes and learn from what has happened.
“The court believes that the punishment imposed is reasonable and appropriate,” Azhar added.
On the CBT charge, Azhar said Syed Saddiq had instructed two Bersatu Youth members to withdraw the RM1 million without consent from the party’s top leadership, ruling: “The action of hiding the money at the youth wing’s office raised an inference of bad faith on his part”.
“The accused’s claim that he did not know where the money was kept or what it was used for is also something that is difficult to logically accept.”
The court also found that the accused had intentions to misuse the RM120,000 worth of funds dishonestly misappropriated from an election fundraising event, which was then transferred into his account against the law.
“Any financing or payments could have been made directly through the ABBE’s account without the need to transfer the funds into the accused’s personal account.
“This action, in the opinion of this court, clearly demonstrates the accused’s intent to misappropriate the funds for his own use,” the judge added.
The court had previously granted Syed Saddiq’s application for a stay of execution pending an appeal at the appellate court, which has fixed January 16 for case management. – November 29, 2024