THE Kuala Lumpur High Court today dismissed an application by the defence to challenge the credibility of a key prosecution witness in the trial of former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who is facing charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT) and money-laundering.

The defence had sought to challenge the credibility of the 13th prosecution witness, Rafiq Hakim Razali, who is the former Armada assistant treasurer, following discrepancies between his testimony in court and the statement recorded from him by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in 2020 on the withdrawal of RM1 million from Armada’s bank account.

Judicial commissioner Azhar Abdul Hamid, when handing down his decision, said there was no need to challenge the credibility of the witness.

“After examining the oral testimony and recording of the witness’ conversation, the court finds that the differences are minor, which are not tantamount to material or serious contradictions. Therefore, the application by defence to challenge the credibility of the witness is dismissed,” he said.

Lawyer Gobind Singh Deo, representing Syed Saddiq, then requested that a copy of the witness statement recorded by MACC be handed over to the defence.

The court set this afternoon to hear the application.

Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin prosecuted.

Last July 25, the High Court ordered the prosecution to give a copy of the witness statement recorded by MACC in 2020 to the court for scrutiny and consideration.

Syed Saddiq is charged as the then Armada chief – who was entrusted with control of Armada’s funds – with abetting Rafiq over CBT of RM1 million in money belonging to the wing.

He is alleged to have committed the offence at CIMB Bank Bhd, Menara CIMB KL Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, on March 6, 2020.

The offence, under section 406 of the penal code, carries a jail term of up to 10 years with whipping, and is liable to a fine.

For the second charge, the accused is alleged to have misused property for himself, namely RM120,000 from the Maybank Islamic Bhd account belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise by causing Rafiq to dispose of the money.

Syed Saddiq is charged with committing the offence at Malayan Banking Bhd, Jalan Pandan 3/6A, Taman Pandan Jaya between April 8 and 21, 2018.

The charge, under section 403 of the penal code, carries a maximum five years’ jail with whipping and is punishable with a fine.

He also faces two counts of engaging in money-laundering activities, namely 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 is charged with committing the offence at a bank on Jalan Persisiran Perling, Taman Perling, Johor Baru, on June 16 and 19, 2018. – Bernama, August 22, 2022.