KUALA LUMPUR — Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman is taking his bid to overturn his corruption conviction and sentence, which includes caning, as a struggle for the country, “however painful”.
He arrived at the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya at around 8.30 am earlier to attend the appeal hearing for his case involving Bersatu Armada funds.
The former Muda president was accompanied by family members, some party leaders and members, as well as local actress Bella Astillah, who has appeared in several of his social media posts.
“I am always in debt to my family members, my partners in this struggle, who have trusted me and are giving me moral support. They always remind me to continue this struggle, that however painful, the reality is I am just a vehicle to bring change to the country,” he said outside the Palace of Justice to Astro Awani.
Asked about Bella’s presence at his appeal hearing today, Syed Saddiq paused a moment before saying: “She is an amazing woman, and I owe her a debt of gratitude”.
The former Youth and Sports Minister has been convicted and sentenced by the high court in 2023 to seven years in prison, two strokes of the cane, and a fine of RM10mil for four offences related to the Armada funds.
The charges brought against him in 2021 accused him of misusing RM120,000, misappropriating RM1 million of funds and laundering RM100,000 of Armada funds. Syed Saddiq had previously been Armada chief before he quit Bersatu.
His appeal hearing is schedule for two days, starting today and ending tomorrow.
Sinar Harian reported that among others present to lend him support today were Merlimau assemblyman Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, who is also acting Muda president. – March 19, 2025