‘Money meant for house renovation’

The missing rM250,000 from family’s savings, says syed saddiq

PETALING JAYA: The missing RM250,000, said former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, was the family’s savings meant for renovation of their property here.

“I would not have dared to lodge a police report if the money was gained illegally,” said the Muar MP.

From the amount, he said RM90,000 was his savings; while RM70,000 came from his father and another RM50,000 from his mother.

This adds up to RM210,000.

It differed from the amount of RM250,000 that Syed Saddiq reported to the police.

When questioned about the discrepancy, Syed Saddiq replied that the amount reported to the police was an “anggaran” (estimation) at that time.

“My parents and I decided to buy a house together. I intended to move into that house once the renovation was completed,” said Syed Saddiq in a press statement yesterday.

“I understand that a report was made to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and I will give my fullest co-operation to them,” said Syed Saddiq.

In Petaling Jaya, district OCPD Asst Comm Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal said police had called in six people to make their statements over the theft. Their statements were taken at the district police headquarters yesterday.

“Police have some leads but I am not at liberty to divulge this as we are still investigating the case,” he said.

He said police remanded a maid to help them in the investigations.

Meanwhile, the MACC said it was investigating the case following a complaint based on a media report.

“We have opened an investigation paper into the case,” it said.

On Sunday, Syed Saddiq reported to police an estimated RM250,000 cash was missing from a safe at his home when he opened it at 7pm the previous day.

It was reported that he denied the money belonged to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

“I want to stress that I never said the investigation was concerning funds owned by Bersatu.

“In fact, in the police report lodged on Sunday, I never stated the money was owned by Bersatu. Therefore, the title of the report is not true at all, ” he said.

Syed Saddiq demanded the TV station which aired the report to publicly apologise to him for claiming the money was Bersatu’s.

He said the news report had brought serious implications to his image and credibility as a Bersatu leader.

My parents and I decided to buy a house together.

Syed Saddiq