JOHOR BARU: Former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (pic) has been charged at the Johor Baru Sessions Court on Thursday (Aug 5).

       The Muar MP claimed trial to two counts under Anti-Money Laundering Act amounting to RM100,000 at the Sessions Court here.

       On July 22, Syed Saddiq claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to two counts of corruption relating to criminal breach of trust (CBT) and misappropriation of monies involving funds that belonged to his former party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

       The 29-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charges before judge Azura Alwi.

       According to the first charge, Syed Saddiq, as the youth leader of the party then, was entrusted with the funds belonging to the party’s youth wing Armada Malaysia and he allegedly committed CBT when he allegedly withdrew RM1mil using a cheque without the approval of Bersatu’s top leadership.

       The offence was allegedly committed at CIMB Bank, Menara CIMB KL Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2 on March 6, 2020.

       Syed Saddiq was charged under Section 405 of the Penal Code, which is punishable under Section 406 of the same Code and faces up to 10 years imprisonment, whipping and a fine.

       For the second charge, Syed Saddiq was accused of misappropriating RM120,000 of contribution money belonging to Bersatu which was meant for the 14th General Election.

       He allegedly committed the offence at Maybank in Taman Pandan Jaya, between April 8 and 21, 2018.

       The charge under Section 403 of the Penal Code carries imprisonment between six months and five years and whipping and can be liable for a fine.