KUALA LUMPUR: Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman says he will appeal against the High Court's conviction and prison sentence over charges of criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
The Muar member of Parliament said in an Instagram post that he "pledges not to waste the court's precious time and wants his appeal to be heard as soon as possible."
"I look forward to clearing my name in the Court of Appeal," he said.
"I have always insisted on clearing my name in court."
He added that he had "chosen not to pursue dropping his case" despite having have had many opportunities.
"I chose not to pursue them because I strongly believe that no one, not even the powerful, should be above the law.
"In the eyes of the law, we are all equal.
"Only through this uncompromising belief can Malaysia succeed in becoming a developed country that serves the interests of all Malaysians," he said.
Syed Saddiq shared that he had been "anxiously waiting" for over a year for the written judgment from the High Court Judge, which he has now finally received.
"This will allow me to commence my appeal in court."
Earlier today, Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid sentenced Syed Saddiq to seven years in jail and two strokes of the cane for charges of abetting criminal breach of trust (CBT), misappropriation of property, and two counts of money laundering.
On July 22, 2021, he was charged as the then Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Armada wing chief who was entrusted with control of Armada funds, with abetting Bersatu assistant treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali in committing CBT involving RM1 million of the organisation's funds.
He was also charged with misusing property for himself, namely RM120,000 from the Maybank Islamic Bhd account belonging to Armanda Bumi Bersatu Enterprise (ABBE), by causing Rafiq to dispose of the money.
The former youth and sports minister is facing two counts of engaging in money laundering in two transactions of RM50,000, believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities, from his Maybank Islamic Bhd account into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account.
Syed Saddiq said that he has instructed his lawyers, Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden and Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, to immediately prepare for his appeal and "fight vigorously for the truth in the court of law."
"If I am fated by Allah SWT and through the wisdom of the judges to still be found guilty after my appeals, I pledge to respect the judiciary as an institution, no matter how painful or unjust I may perceive the verdict to be.
"My love for my country cannot be conditional upon its favour toward me, nor can my belief in strengthening institutions depend on whether they serve my personal interests.
"True commitment to Malaysia and her principles demands unwavering respect for its institutions, even in moments of personal adversity," he said in his Instagram post today.