FORMER youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman today claimed trial to two charges related to the misappropriation of Bersatu funds.

The former Bersatu youth chief pleaded not guilty to a charge of misappropriating RM1 million belonging to Bersatu before Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi.

He also pleaded not guilty to a second charge of misappropriating RM120,000 of election funds belonging to the party’s youth wing from in April 2018.

The second charge was read before Sessions Court judge, Suzana Hussin.

In the first charge, the Muar MP is accused of misappropriating RM1 million via a CIMB cheque, at CIMB Bank, KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, on March 6 last year.

He is charged under section 405 of the penal code for criminal breach of trust and faces up to 10 years in jail, caning and a fine if found guilty for the first charge.

In the second charge, he is accused of withdrawing RM120,000 from Maybank Islamic Bhd in Taman Pandan Jaya, Kuala Lumpur.

The offence under section 403 of the penal code for misappropriation is punishable by at least six months and up to five years in jail, caning and a fine.

Syed Saddiq was offered bail at RM300,000 for the first charge and RM30,000 for the second, both with one surety. The courts also ordered him to report to the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission once a month.

Both cases are set for case management on September 10.

The Muda chief Syed Saddiq arrived in court at 9am with his legal team, including Gobind Singh Deo and Ambiga Sreenevasan.

Several opposition politicians were also present to lend moral support. – July 22, 2021.