KUALA LUMPUR – Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has been fully acquitted after the Federal Court today dismissed the prosecution’s appeal, overturning his earlier conviction and sentence of seven years’ imprisonment, two strokes of the cane, and a RM10 million fine.
Two judges on the Federal Court panel – Justice Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali and Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah – upheld the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit the former Youth and Sports Minister.
However, the presiding judge, Court of Appeal President Justice Datuk Abu Bakar Jais, delivered a dissenting judgment.
@scoopdotmy Ahli Parlimen Muar, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, bebas sepenuhnya daripada sabitan dan hukuman penjara tujuh tahun, dua sebatan serta denda RM10 juta selepas Mahkamah Persekutuan hari ini menolak rayuan pihak pendakwaan. Keputusan majoriti 2-1 itu mengekalkan penghakiman Mahkamah Rayuan pada Jun tahun lalu yang melepas dan membebaskan bekas Menteri Belia dan Sukan berusia 33 tahun itu daripada empat pertuduhan berkaitan pecah amanah, salah guna harta dan pengubahan wang haram.
♬ original sound – Scoopdotmy
Today’s judgment was delivered separately by each member of the three-judge panel, beginning with Justice Abu Bakar, followed by Justice Che Mohd Ruzima and Justice Sequerah.
After all three judges had read their respective judgments, Justice Abu Bakar asked Syed Saddiq to step forward before the bench to explain the court’s decision.
He said the conviction and sentence he had proposed on the second, third and fourth charges against Syed Saddiq no longer stood, as the other two Federal Court judges had found the respondent not guilty on all four charges.
“That is their right as Federal Court judges under our justice system. I would also like to point out that although we are judges, we are only human. There are times when we are healthy and times when we fall ill.
“When a judge is unwell, the postponement of a case may occur. It is neither extraordinary nor unprecedented. I hope everyone will understand this,” he said.
The prosecution’s final appeal was originally scheduled to be decided on June 30 but was postponed after Justice Che Mohd Ruzima went on medical leave.
Justice Abu Bakar also said the panel had been aware of developments surrounding the case and knew that the respondent had plans following today’s decision.
“Now that the majority decision has favoured the respondent, I hope he will be able to proceed with those plans successfully,” he said.
Justice Che Mohd Ruzima, meanwhile, said judges were unable to defend themselves publicly or respond to comments made by others, and urged all interested parties to refrain from making inappropriate statements.
“In this case, the decision had already been prepared for delivery. However, when all three judges were instructed to write their own grounds of judgment and one of them fell ill, is it appropriate to describe the situation as unprecedented?
“As judges, we cannot respond to every public perception or defend ourselves in public. Therefore, all stakeholders must carry out their respective responsibilities responsibly. I would also like to thank the Head of the Prosecution Division, Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, for maintaining a neutral position and for praying for the recovery of the judge who was unwell,” he said.
Once all three judges had delivered their judgments, Syed Saddiq’s family members and supporters applauded in the courtroom.
On June 25, 2025, the Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged the 33-year-old Muar MP after allowing his appeal to overturn his conviction and sentence of seven years’ imprisonment, two strokes of the cane and a RM10 million fine imposed by the High Court on Nov 9, 2023.
The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) subsequently filed an appeal to the Federal Court the following day.
Syed Saddiq had been charged with abetting Rafiq Hakim Razali, who was then Armada’s assistant treasurer, in committing criminal breach of trust involving RM1 million belonging to Armada at CIMB Bank Berhad, KL Sentral, on March 6, 2020.
The charge was framed under Section 406 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
He also faced a charge of misappropriating RM120,000 belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise under Section 403 of the Penal Code, which provides for a jail term of between six months and five years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
In addition, Syed Saddiq was charged with two counts of money laundering involving the transfer of RM50,000 into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) account.
The charges were brought under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of five times the value of the proceeds involved upon conviction. – July 13, 2026