Preacher Da'i Syed walks free after Court of Appeal overturns rape conviction

PUTRAJAYA: Celebrity preacher Da'i Syed, whose real name is Syed Shah Iqmal Syed Mohd Shaiful, was acquitted and discharged by the Court of Appeal here today of a rape charge involving a woman seven years ago.

The decision was reached by a 2-1 majority, with judges Datuk Azman Abdullah, who chaired the panel, and Datuk Mohd Radzi Abdul Hamid allowing Syed Shah Iqmal's appeal. Judge Datuk Meor Hashimi Abdul Hamid dissented.

Reading the decision, Azman said the defence had succeeded in raising reasonable doubt.

"The conviction against the appellant is unsafe. The appellant's appeal is allowed, and the 10-year jail sentence and three strokes of the cane imposed by the High Court are set aside," he said.

Following the majority decision, Syed Shah Iqmal, who was in the dock, was seen crying. His wife, Hana Ismail, who was seated in the public gallery, also wept and covered her face.

On Dec 10, 2020, Syed Shah Iqmal pleaded not guilty to raping a 23-year-old woman at a condominium room in I-City, Section 7, at 1.35am on Sept 11, 2019.

The charge was framed under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and whipping upon conviction.

On April 10, 2023, the Shah Alam Sessions Court acquitted and discharged him after finding that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case at the close of its case.

However, the Shah Alam High Court subsequently allowed the prosecution's appeal and ordered him to enter his defence.

On Aug 30, 2024, Sessions Court judge Adlin Abdul Majid sentenced him to 10 years in prison and three strokes of the cane. He was ordered to begin serving the sentence immediately.

After spending 21 days at Kajang Prison, Syed Shah Iqmal was temporarily released by the High Court here pending the hearing of his appeal against the conviction and sentence.