Syed Saddiq said this when cross examined by deputy public prosecutor Wan Shahruddin Wan Ladin on the content of his witness statement.
In his statement of defence, which the Muar MP read out earlier today, Syed Saddiq said five top Bersatu Youth leaders (G5), including him, only discussed aid to Bersatu Youth members nationwide in Covid-19 programmes, as well as Ramadan and Hari Raya activities, in 2020.
The others were Syed Saddiq’s deputy Aizad Roslan, assistant secretary Ahmad Redzuan Ahmad Shafi, treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali and information chief Ulya Uqamah Husamuddin.
The G5 then directed Rafiq to discuss with the entire Youth exco to determine the amount needed for the activities.
The prosecution’s version is that Syed Saddiq unilaterally ordered Rafiq and Redzuan to withdraw RM1 million as the money was collected through the personal effort of the accused.
The prosecution’s case is that the accused directed the money to be withdrawn and spent on the said activities to gain political mileage.
Wan Shahruddin: I put it to you that your evidence in the witness statement about the RM1 million is a lie.
Syed Saddiq: I disagree.
Wan Shahruddin: I am also suggesting that it was an afterthought and you gave directions to withdraw RM1 million to score political points.
Syed Saddiq: I disagree.
Rafiq and Redzuan, who were prosecution witnesses, had given evidence against Syed Saddiq.
Asked whether the accused would call Ulya to “save” him, Syed Saddiq said he left it to the discretion of his lawyers.
The Muda president was making his defence on charges of abetting in criminal breach of trust (CBT), misappropriation of assets, and money laundering in relation to some RM1.2 million in funds linked to Bersatu Youth.
On the CBT charge, his defence is that there was no provision in Bersatu’s constitution that he must get approval from its Supreme Council for the use of its funds.
On the RM120,000 misappropriation charge, he said he secured the money from two fund-raising projects held in Muar and Ampang in 2018.
Syed Saddiq also said he had used his own savings to fund his campaign to win the Muar seat in the 14th general election, and that about RM170,000 was spent, as reported to the Election Commission.
He said the fundraisers had nothing to do with Bersatu and that the RM120,000 was deposited into his personal bank account.
The hearing before Justice Azahar Abdul Hamid continues.