PUTARAJAYA (June 30): Muar parliamentarian Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman will skip campaigning for Ikatan Demokratik Malaysia (Muda) in the upcoming Johor state elections.
When asked by several members of the press on Tuesday whether the 33-year-old would be campaigning in the state elections, the Muda co-founder was evasive, saying his focus is on his court case.
“I had hoped there would be finality today, especially after six gruelling years of seeking justice, but now I will have to wait another two weeks.
“During that time, I will continue working with my lawyers and family as we pursue the justice we seek in court. My priority is to clear my name,” he said after the postponement of the final verdict in his criminal case.
Muda is contesting in a total of four seats in the upcoming polls: Bukit Batu, Maharani, Simpang Jeram, and Puteri Wangsa.
A three-member apex court panel was slated to deliver its decision on the prosecution's appeal on Tuesday, but it was postponed as one of the panel judges, apex court judge Datuk Che Ruzima Ghazali, was ill.
The decision is now slated for July 13, after the Johor state elections on July 11.
Addressing the postponement, Syed Saddiq said that it was unexpected, and it was difficult to comment on the matter.
“I understand this matter is truly unexpected, and this is why it is difficult for me to comment.
“It was not something we planned for. When I spoke to my lawyers, we considered many scenarios, but this was not in our discussion and planning.
“But when it involves health issues, it is beyond my control. We have to respect that, especially when it concerns the judiciary, an institution I hold in the highest regard,” he said.
In June, the Court of Appeal (COA) had reversed the High Court's verdict and acquitted the young politician of four charges consisting of abetting criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of party funds, and money laundering.
The prosecution had appealed this decision.
At the onset of Tuesday's proceedings, the panel head, COA president Datuk Abu Bakar Jais, took to the bench alone and said that the panel was ready with its decision, but it didn't seem proper to proceed without a panel member.
Although the other member of the bench, Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, was present in court, he did not take the bench on Tuesday.