IRRESPECTIVE of the Kuala Lumpur High Court judgment yesterday (Nov 9), Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has excelled as a young leader who has displayed a very high level of courage compared to some senior leaders when faced with the same situation.
According to former Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, Syed Saddiq who has “temporarily” relinquished his MUDA presidency had never used his position nor his relationship with the Federal government to influence court proceedings or “find an escape route through the back door” throughout his trial.
For context, Syed Saddiq, 30, was yesterday (Nov 9) sentenced to seven years of imprisonment, a RM10mil fine and two strokes of the cane for all charges of abetting in criminal breach of trust (CBT), misappropriation of funds and money laundering related to the Bersatu Armada funds.
He was also the first politician to be sentenced to whipping after being found guilty of the charges framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
“This is in contrast to some other leaders who are willing to use various tricks to escape from facing charges in court or without going through a transparent legal process,” Zuraida highlighted in a media statement, presumably referring to Deputy Prime Minister and UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“Previously, we were surprised by the withdrawal of charges in court by the prosecution for a high-profile case of a senior leader who was facing 47 criminal charges which sparked public anger because the case was already at the defence stage (prima facie existed).”
Added the former Bersatu supreme council member who is now the Muafakat Nasional deputy president: “Syed Saddiq is fearless unlike the leader because instead of trying to use any possible means to free himself, he chose to follow the legal process according to the proper order and rules.
“To be honest, as a Malaysian, I am very confident in the judicial institutions in this country but what worries me is the selective prosecution that has been seen to become more and more common lately.
“Nevertheless, there is still room for Syed Saddiq to file an appeal against this decision and we hope he will use this opportunity the best he can to get the justice he deserves.” – Nov 10, 2023
