Federal Court Upholds Syed Saddiq’s Acquittal, Ending RM1 Million Armada Case
The ruling closes one of Malaysia’s most closely watched political court cases after years of investigations, trials and appeals.
- The Federal Court upheld Syed Saddiq's acquittal in a 2-1 decision, dismissing all four criminal charges linked to RM1 million in Armada funds.
- The majority ruled the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, ending a five-year legal battle for the Muar MP.
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The Federal Court has upheld the acquittal of Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, bringing to an end his years-long legal battle over four criminal charges linked to RM1 million in funds belonging to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (Bersatu) youth wing, Armada.
In a split 2-1 decision, Federal Court judges Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali and Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah dismissed the prosecution’s appeal, affirming the Court of Appeal’s 2025 ruling that had acquitted the former youth and sports minister of all charges, Malay Mail reported.
Court of Appeal President Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Jais, who sat on the Federal Court bench for the appeal, dissented and held that Syed Saddiq should have been convicted on three of the four charges. However, he acknowledged that his view did not prevail as it was a minority judgment.
The majority found that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt. Justice Ruzima ruled that the withdrawal of Armada funds alone did not constitute criminal breach of trust, noting that Bersatu’s constitution was an internal party document rather than law. As the principal offence was not established, the abetment charge also could not stand. Justice Sequerah concurred with the findings, providing the majority needed to dismiss the appeal.
The decision was met with applause inside the courtroom, where Syed Saddiq was accompanied by family members, supporters and his legal team. Also present were his fiancée, actress and singer Bella Astillah, and Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh.
A legal battle spanning five years
Syed Saddiq’s legal troubles began in July 2021 when he was charged with abetting Armada’s former assistant treasurer, Rafiq Hakim Razali, in committing criminal breach of trust involving RM1 million withdrawn from Armada’s bank account on March 6, 2020. He was also charged with dishonest misappropriation of party funds and two counts of money laundering involving RM100,000. Syed Saddiq consistently denied all the allegations and claimed trial.
In November 2023, the High Court convicted him on all four charges, sentencing him to seven years’ imprisonment, two strokes of the cane and a RM10 million fine. However, the Court of Appeal overturned the conviction in June 2025 after finding that the prosecution had failed to establish its case, leading the Attorney General’s Chambers to appeal to the Federal Court.
Today’s ruling marks the final chapter in the high-profile case, with the Federal Court’s majority decision effectively clearing Syed Saddiq of all charges and bringing the prosecution’s appeal to a close.
Syed Saddiq hints at marriage
Speaking to reporters outside the Palace of Justice after the verdict, an emotional Syed Saddiq thanked his parents, supporters and his fiancée, actress and singer Bella Astillah, for standing by him throughout the legal ordeal.
According to a report by Malay Mail, he said it was “not easy” being with him, noting that they had begun their relationship after he had already been found guilty at the High Court.
While hinting that wedding plans may be on the horizon, he said he would make any personal announcements outside the courtroom out of respect for the judicial process.
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