Why did Syed Saddiq’s graft verdict date shift to July 13?

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Syed Saddiq's Graft Verdict Date Postponed to July 13 Due to Judge's Illness

The Federal Court's decision regarding the prosecution's appeal against Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman's acquittal in his graft case was postponed to July 13 because one of the three judges on the panel, Justice Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali, was unwell. The Court of Appeal president, Justice Abu Bakar Jais, announced the adjournment, stating that it would be inappropriate to deliver the verdict without the full participation of all panel members.
Illness of a Federal Court Judge Led to Adjournment

The scheduled delivery of the Federal Court's decision was halted due to the indisposition of Justice Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali. Justice Abu Bakar Jais explicitly stated that the judge was resting and that the three-judge panel could not proceed with announcing the verdict under these circumstances. This situation highlights how the health of judicial officers can directly impact the progression of legal proceedings.
Court's Discretion in Postponing Proceedings

While Rule 63 of the Rules of the Federal Court 1995 permits judgments to be pronounced in the absence of judges, with their judgments read by another judge or the Registrar, the court ultimately exercised its discretion to postpone. The principle that adjournments are at the absolute discretion of the court, as affirmed in previous Federal Court decisions, was applied in this instance. This underscores the court's authority to manage its own proceedings based on the specific circumstances presented.
Emphasis on Panel Consensus in Delivering Judgments

Justice Abu Bakar Jais articulated that delivering a decision without one member of the panel present would not be appropriate. This indicates a judicial preference for ensuring that all members who participated in the hearing have the opportunity to contribute to, or at least be present for, the pronouncement of the final judgment. This approach prioritises the integrity and perceived completeness of the judicial decision-making process, even when procedural rules might allow for exceptions.

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Why did Syed Saddiq’s graft verdict date shift to July 13?

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