PUTRAJAYA — The Federal Court convened today to hear the prosecution’s final appeal against the acquittal of Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, bringing renewed scrutiny to one of Malaysia’s most widely followed political and legal battles.
The three-judge panel, led by Court of Appeal President Datuk Abu Bakar Jais, began hearing submissions at 9.30am. Sitting alongside him were Federal Court judges Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Razali and Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, the latter having taken his oath of office less than two weeks earlier.
Representing the prosecution was an experienced legal team headed by Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin. The defence, appearing for the 33-year-old MP, comprised prominent lawyers Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, Kee Wei Lon and Lim Wei Jiet.
Syed Saddiq arrived early at the Palace of Justice accompanied by his family, supporters and local celebrity Bella Astillah, who has publicly expressed solidarity with him.
His acquittal on June 25 by the Court of Appeal overturned a harsh High Court sentence imposed in November 2023 — seven years’ imprisonment, two strokes of the rotan and a RM10 million fine. The prosecution swiftly filed an appeal the following day, insisting the earlier conviction had been justified.
The case centres on allegations that Syed Saddiq abetted former Armada assistant treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali in committing criminal breach of trust involving RM1 million of party funds. He also faces accusations of dishonestly misusing RM120,000 belonging to an Armada-linked entity and executing two money-laundering transactions amounting to RM50,000.
Under existing laws, the charges carry possible penalties ranging from lengthy imprisonment to heavy fines and caning.
The Federal Court’s eventual ruling will determine whether Syed Saddiq’s acquittal stands — or whether he must once again confront the charges in full.