KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 19): Muar Member of Parliament (MP) Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who is facing a total of four charges involving criminal breach of trust (CBT), misappropriation of funds and money laundering of more than RM1 million, will have his case heard from June 7.
Presiding High Court Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan set the trial dates after the four charges were read again to Syed Saddiq in the High Court on Wednesday (Jan 19). The man pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Justice Zaini set March 24 for case management and the trial dates as follows: June 7 to 10, 20 to 22 and 27 to 28; July 4 to 8, 13 to 15 and 18 to 22.
Syed Saddiq was represented by lawyer Gobind Singh Deo, who is also the Puchong MP, while the prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin.
Syed Saddiq reminded to 'separate his hat from being an accused and a politician'
On Tuesday, Justice Zaini reminded Syed Saddiq he was to “separate his hat from being a politician and an accused person in the court” when posting about the case on social media platforms.
Before that, Wan Shaharuddin told the judge that the accused should be mindful when commenting on the case on social media platforms as it can be used against him during the course of the trial.
“This is not a gag order against the accused. However, there are a few postings on [his] Facebook [page] about the case and his defence. I want to remind him, as someone who is older and more mature, that this can be used against him,” Wan Shaharuddin said.
“I ask him not to post anything that will affect his defence,” the prosecutor added.
Gobind, meanwhile, pointed out that as Syed Saddiq is a public figure, he will be asked by many quarters to state his position about the case and that some form of flexibility should be allowed.
“The accused will be asked to state his position [as] the public will want to know the details of the case. I have always said that some form of flexibility should be given to the accused to speak about the charges. However, we understand now that the trial is fixed for a hearing, we take note of this,” Gobind added.
Justice Zaini then cautioned: “He has to separate his hat from being a politician and an accused in the court. I am sure you will be able to advise your client on what to do.”
Charges against Syed Saddiq
On the first charge, Syed Saddiq is being charged as the then Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Armada (Youth) chief — who was entrusted with control of Armada funds — with committing CBT by withdrawing RM1 million via a CIMB Bank Bhd cheque without obtaining permission from the Bersatu supreme leadership council.
He is being charged with committing the offence at a CIMB Bank Bhd branch at Menara CIMB KL Sentral on March 6, 2020 — under Section 405 of the Penal Code, which is punishable under Section 406 of the same code. The code provides for maximum imprisonment of 10 years with whipping, and a possible fine, if convicted.
The former youth and sports minister also faces a charge of misusing RM120,000 in donations meant for the 14th general election campaign collected through a Maybank Islamic Bhd account owned by Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise.
The act was allegedly committed at Maybank Islamic Bhd, Taman Pandan Jaya here between April 8 and April 21, 2018. The charge under Section 403 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to five years with whipping and a possible fine if convicted.
The other two charges involve alleged money laundering activities, namely two transactions of RM50,000 from his Maybank Islamic Bhd account into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account, which are believed to be proceeds of illegal activities.
Syed Saddiq is alleged to have committed the acts at a bank in Jalan Persisiran Perling, Taman Perling here on June 16 and June 19, 2018.