In the run-up to what could be a historic state election vote, we have seen posturing from politicians on all sides.
Most notable of which has been Syed Saddiq, who has recently declared that he will be bringing his party, MUDA, in an alliance with PSM for the upcoming polls.
While this is now familiar for those who follow current politics, it is interesting to note that he has done so out of spite towards Pakatan Harapan - despite noting that his previous definition of bipartisanship also includes legitimising the current unelected government and the previous government he had previously campaigned against.
Who can forget when he met with former Prime Minister Najib Razak at his home, he encountered brickbats online - a strange turn of events when considering Saddiq’s past statements towards the latter.
There is a great deal of irony when the same person who decried the possibility of a PH-UMNO unity government with Najib is the same person who willingly poses and postures with Najib in the name of bipartisanship.
Should we accept that Saddiq for all of his posturing and cries for principles, was the one that openly sat down with Najib, whilst PH took great pains to deny the latter’s involvement it is attempts to secure support?
Many have seen this as Saddiq betraying his principles - but it should be noted that principles mattered little to him when he was in power.
Malaysians still remember when Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, went on record to say that “an attack against my Chinese and Indian brothers and sisters is an attack against all Malaysians “about the comments made by the controversial preacher Zakir Naik against the ethnic minorities in this country.
Less than two weeks later, the Youth minister was seen sharing a meal with the Indian fugitive at his home, urging Malaysians to move on.
This, of course, is not that our former Minister of Youth and Sports has been caught bending his principles.
Syed Saddiq often took the opportunity to position himself as a “champion” of the Malay agenda - often at odds with his more inclusive videos on TikTok.
No wonder he finds it difficult to shake away accusations of being a puppet for Mahathir, he after all had no qualms when he supported the Malay Dignity Congress, which was attended by the same kleptocrats and “corrupt” politicians that he today spends much of his time attacking online.
In many ways, Syed Saddiq as a Minister represents many things that were wrong with “Malaysia Lama” – cronyism, entitlement and “elitism” to name a few.
Throughout his tenure as a key figure in Pakatan Harapan, Syed Saddiq displayed a near-fanatical (and dangerous) faith towards Mahathir - and his promise that he would keep his promises.
To be honest, Syed Saddiq can issue platitudes of standing for his “principles” as much as he wants, given that he is now in opposition.
It is, however, disconcerting, to say the least, that MUDA itself, at least the vocal section on social media, is practising the same realpolitik that Saddiq is.
Some even have resorted to attacking other third parties to distract from the fact that they had crossed a line that they had drawn for others.
This is incredibly saddening when one considers the coalition that MUDA has built for it - especially with its inclusion of members from the activism scene.
The idealism and hope many had seen in Syed Saddiq are already well gone.
Syed Saddiq needs to decide what principles he stands for - and unfortunately for MUDA, that also goes for them. It is a better time than any to do so.
Most notable of which has been Syed Saddiq, who has recently declared that he will be bringing his party, MUDA, in an alliance with PSM for the upcoming polls.
While this is now familiar for those who follow current politics, it is interesting to note that he has done so out of spite towards Pakatan Harapan - despite noting that his previous definition of bipartisanship also includes legitimising the current unelected government and the previous government he had previously campaigned against.
Who can forget when he met with former Prime Minister Najib Razak at his home, he encountered brickbats online - a strange turn of events when considering Saddiq’s past statements towards the latter.
There is a great deal of irony when the same person who decried the possibility of a PH-UMNO unity government with Najib is the same person who willingly poses and postures with Najib in the name of bipartisanship.
Should we accept that Saddiq for all of his posturing and cries for principles, was the one that openly sat down with Najib, whilst PH took great pains to deny the latter’s involvement it is attempts to secure support?
Many have seen this as Saddiq betraying his principles - but it should be noted that principles mattered little to him when he was in power.
Malaysians still remember when Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, went on record to say that “an attack against my Chinese and Indian brothers and sisters is an attack against all Malaysians “about the comments made by the controversial preacher Zakir Naik against the ethnic minorities in this country.
Less than two weeks later, the Youth minister was seen sharing a meal with the Indian fugitive at his home, urging Malaysians to move on.
This, of course, is not that our former Minister of Youth and Sports has been caught bending his principles.
Syed Saddiq often took the opportunity to position himself as a “champion” of the Malay agenda - often at odds with his more inclusive videos on TikTok.
No wonder he finds it difficult to shake away accusations of being a puppet for Mahathir, he after all had no qualms when he supported the Malay Dignity Congress, which was attended by the same kleptocrats and “corrupt” politicians that he today spends much of his time attacking online.
In many ways, Syed Saddiq as a Minister represents many things that were wrong with “Malaysia Lama” – cronyism, entitlement and “elitism” to name a few.
Throughout his tenure as a key figure in Pakatan Harapan, Syed Saddiq displayed a near-fanatical (and dangerous) faith towards Mahathir - and his promise that he would keep his promises.
To be honest, Syed Saddiq can issue platitudes of standing for his “principles” as much as he wants, given that he is now in opposition.
It is, however, disconcerting, to say the least, that MUDA itself, at least the vocal section on social media, is practising the same realpolitik that Saddiq is.
Some even have resorted to attacking other third parties to distract from the fact that they had crossed a line that they had drawn for others.
This is incredibly saddening when one considers the coalition that MUDA has built for it - especially with its inclusion of members from the activism scene.
The idealism and hope many had seen in Syed Saddiq are already well gone.
Syed Saddiq needs to decide what principles he stands for - and unfortunately for MUDA, that also goes for them. It is a better time than any to do so.
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