Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Muar MP and former youth and sports minister, appeared at the Federal Court today for a decision on the prosecution’s final appeal of his criminal case. The appeal challenges the Court of Appeal’s June 25, 2025 decision acquitting him of charges related to misuse of funds from Bersatu’s youth wing Armada. The Federal Court hearing was postponed after judge Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali was placed on medical leave, with a verdict now scheduled for July 13, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Syed Saddiq faces charges of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, and money laundering over withdrawals and transfers totaling RM1.22 million. These include abetting a withdrawal of RM1 million on March 6, 2020; dishonest misappropriation of RM120,000; and two counts of money laundering involving RM50,000 each [6, 4].
Initially found guilty by the High Court in November 2023, Syed Saddiq was sentenced to seven years in prison, two strokes of the cane, and fined RM10 million. The Court of Appeal overturned that verdict, acquitting and discharging him on all charges nearly two years ago [1, 6, 4].
Syed Saddiq and his defense have maintained the funds were used for Armada’s welfare programs, COVID-19 relief efforts, and party activities—not for personal gain [6]. The prosecution has persisted in seeking to reinstate the High Court sentence through the Federal Court appeal [1, 2, 3].
A panel of three Federal Court judges led by Court of Appeal president Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Jais has been hearing the case. Syed Saddiq arrived at the Palace of Justice on June 30 accompanied by family and supporters for today’s ruling, which was postponed due to the judge’s medical leave [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The Federal Court will now deliver its decision on the prosecution’s appeal on July 13, 2026 [5].
