KUALA LUMPUR: Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has been ordered by the High Court here to enter his defence on charges of abetting in criminal breach of trust (CBT), misappropriation of assets and money laundering.
Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid said the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the Muda president and former youth and sports minister.
Syed Saddiq, 29, is charged with abetting the Bersatu youth wing’s former assistant treasurer, Rafiq Hakim, in the commission of CBT of RM1 million at CIMB Bank Bhd on Jalan Stesen Sentral 2 here on March 6, 2020.
As the then Bersatu Youth chief, Syed Saddiq was entrusted with control of its funds.
He is also charged with misusing RM120,000 from the bank account belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise for himself by causing Rafiq to dispose of the money at Malayan Banking Bhd at Taman Pandan Jaya here between April 8 and April 21, 2018.
The former Muar MP is also charged with two counts of money-laundering involving two transactions of RM50,000 each, believed to be proceeds from unlawful activities, transferred from his Maybank Islamic Bhd account into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account at a bank in Taman Perling, Johor Bahru, on June 16 and 19, 2018.
In a brief oral judgment, Azhar said he had deliberated on the evidence adduced by the prosecution using the maximum evaluation approach as required under the law.
“I am satisfied and find that the prosecution has established a prima facie case on all the charges,” he said.
A total of 30 witnesses gave evidence for the prosecution.
Setting out the various options available to Syed Saddiq as a result of the court’s decision, Azhar said he may give evidence under oath and be subjected to cross-examination.
Alternatively, he may make a statement from the dock for which he will not be cross-examined.
Syed Saddiq could also opt to remain silent, but will be found guilty.
Lawyer Gobind Singh Deo said Syed Saddiq would give his testimony under oath.
The court has fixed Feb 22 to 24, March 13 and 14 and April 10 to 14 for the defence to conduct its case.
Gobind said 15 defence witnesses are expected to take the stand.
The prosecution has also offered 13 witnesses to the defence.
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