Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has succeeded in his appeal against his conviction and sentence for corruption handed down by the High Court.
The Court of Appeal (CoA), comprising a three-member panel led by Justice Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, delivered a unanimous decision. The panel also included Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin.
Delivering the court’s ruling, Justice Noorin stated that High Court Judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid had erred in several findings. She said there was no element of dishonesty when the former Youth and Sports Minister directed his staff to withdraw funds from Bersatu’s youth wing Armada’s bank accounts.
Justice Noorin added that the trial judge failed to consider the procedures followed and the conflicting evidence presented. She also highlighted that some of the testimonies were given under duress from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
She said the instructions to withdraw the money were based on valid concerns, and Syed Saddiq’s actions were reasonable as he was legally entitled to the funds.
“The learned trial judge did not look at evidence on all grounds, and we consider the non-direction of the learned trial judge amounts to misdirection,” she said.
“We reviewed and found the judge failed to consider all the evidence in the case and that there was a serious lapse in the decision-making process. The judge must explain how his logic considered all the evidence in the defence.
“As such, the conviction and sentences are set aside,” she concluded.
The Court of Appeal emphasised that its decision was based strictly on the records of the appeal, without influence from media coverage or external opinions. This clarification was in response to earlier remarks by the prosecution, which had urged the court not to be swayed by public perception.
Following the acquittal, Syed Saddiq was visibly emotional and shed tears in court. His mother, also in tears, walked beside him as they exited the courtroom, accompanied by his lawyer and entourage. He was later seen performing a prostration of gratitude (sujud syukur) together with his father, Syed Abdul Rahman Abdullah Al-Sagoff, before addressing the media.
Speaking to reporters, Syed Saddiq expressed deep gratitude after years of adversity, blackmail, and bribery. He reaffirmed his commitment to public service and to remaining true to his values.
“I don’t regret anything and I am not afraid to go through it all again. In the end, it is worth it,” he said.
When asked about his next steps, he said he would take time to be with his family. On whether he would return to Muda’s leadership, he replied that it would be up to the party.
Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, speaking on behalf of Syed Saddiq’s legal team, thanked the judges for their verdict and for considering their submissions.
“We canvassed two points: first, that there was no prima facie case, and second, that the High Court judge did not appreciate the advanced defence by YB (Syed Saddiq). The Court accepted and appreciated our submissions.
“On the first charge, the Court found no evidence of dishonest intention on the part of YB. The RM1 million was channelled for party programmes, and not a single sen went into his pocket.
“As for the second charge, the Court accepted that the money belonged to YB, so there was no criminal misappropriation. The charges did not stand.”
“Alhamdulillah for the decision by the Court of Appeal — justice has been served. There were many appealable errors in terms of facts and law, and the Court went through the various errors present during the course of the proceedings and in the judgments,” he added.
He also expressed appreciation to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, who had been part of Syed Saddiq’s legal team at the High Court.