Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has been acquitted by Malaysia’s Federal Court of all four charges involving the misappropriation of Armada funds, bringing an end to a lengthy legal battle that has spanned several years.
In a 2-1 majority decision delivered on Monday, Justices Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali and Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah ruled that the 34-year-old former Bersatu vice-president should be discharged and acquitted of all charges.
Court of Appeal President Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Jais, who chaired the three-member panel, delivered the lone dissenting opinion, finding that the former Youth and Sports Minister should have remained convicted.
The majority ruling dismissed the prosecution’s final appeal and upheld Syed Saddiq’s acquittal, overturning the High Court’s November 2023 conviction, which had sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment, two strokes of the cane and a RM10 million fine.
The charges involved allegations of abetment of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property and money laundering linked to funds belonging to Armada, the former youth wing of Bersatu.
The Federal Court’s decision brings finality to one of Malaysia’s most closely watched political court cases and removes the legal uncertainty that has overshadowed Syed Saddiq’s political career in recent years.
The verdict is also expected to clear the way for the former Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) president to move forward with both his political future and his personal life, including his planned marriage to singer and actress Bella Astillah.
The courtroom erupted in applause following the decision, with Syed Saddiq’s family members and supporters celebrating the verdict that officially concludes the case in his favour.
