PUTRAJAYA (Dec 9): The Court of Appeal on Monday has fixed March 19 and 20 next year as the hearing dates for Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s appeal over his conviction on four counts of misappropriation of more than RM1 million belonging to Armada, the youth wing of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
On Nov 9, 2023, Syed Saddiq, 30, who is a co-founder of Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda), was sentenced to a total of seven years in prison, two strokes of the cane and a fine of RM10 million.
Syed Saddiq is the first MP in Malaysia under 50 to be accorded or sentenced to whipping for a white collar crime.
The date was fixed by COA registrar Mohd Khairi Haron following case management.
Syed Saddiq’s counsel Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik confirmed the hearing date when contacted by The Edge.
He also said the petition of appeal, containing the grounds of appeal by the defence had not been filed yet, and the team would do so later this month.
Khairi also fixed Jan 15, 2025, for case management for parties to complete the record of appeal and also March 4 for the defence and prosecution to file its written submission.
Last month, High Court judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid in his belated written grounds in finding Syed Saddiq guilty said the sentence against the young politician was not excessive, partly because, as a lawmaker and an "idol" for youngsters, he should be held to a "higher standard”.
Azhar said Syed Saddiq's role as a public figure, a lawmaker, and an idol for youngsters was taken into account when handing out the sentence.
"As an MP and an idol for young people, it is appropriate that the accused is held to a higher standard and set a good example," Azhar said in his judgement.