KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 — The High Court today sentenced Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman to seven years of jail, two strokes of the cane, and RM10 million fine following his conviction over the misappropriation of funds belonging to Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada) — the Youth wing of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia — where he had served as its chief three years ago.
High Court Judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid, in handing down the punishment, said he had taken into consideration all of the mitigation arguments submitted by the defence and the prosecution, including public interest and that of the accused.
“In my judgment, the appropriate and proportionate sentence to the convictions is as follows:
“For the abetment, a jail term of three years and one stroke of the cane.
“For the criminal breach of trust, a jail term of two years and one stroke of the cane.
“For the two money laundering offences, a prison term of two years and RM5 million fine each to run concurrently,” he said in delivering his judgment.
Should Syed Saddiq fail to pay each of the RM5 million fines, Azhar also imposed an additional two years’ imprisonment in default.
The High Court later allowed Syed Saddiq a stay of execution of the sentence pending appeal.
Earlier today, Syed Saddiq was found guilty on all four charges of abetting criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of assets, and money laundering related to the Armada funds.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Haijan Omar asked the court for clemency after urging it to consider Syed Saddiq’s contribution to society as a lawmaker and a former minister.
He said his client has since expressed remorse for the acts committed.
Haijan also said the 31-year-old had to care for his parents who are both suffering from ailments.
“He also has no past criminal record and this is his first offence and we humbly request the court to consider the accused to be only jailed or fined,” he said in pleading leniency for his client.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin argued, however, that the court should consider a fitting punishment that would serve as a deterrent for other members of the public and even politicians.
He said the court should also take consideration of the public interest factor of the present case since the public has called for preventive measures to be imposed upon politicians brought to court to face justice for their wrongdoings in recent times.
“He was not in the position to use the funds as he wanted because the money did not belong to him,” he said, calling the acts committed by the accused as tantamount to an act of betrayal over the trust of those who put them into power.
Wan Shaharuddin also expressed hope that Syed Saddiq would become a better person and politician in the future after serving his sentence.
