Recently, former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman posted a cheeky video asking Housing and Local Government minister Nga Kor Ming to spend millions on Muar constituents because it also has good feng shui, similar to Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB). 
In the short video clip, Syed Saddiq hinted at Nga for the RM5 million allocation announced just a week ahead of the KKB by-election nomination and over Nga's statement for choosing KKB, just because KKB has good feng shui and is 'ong' (prosperous), asking for similar allocation to be given to Muar.
Syed Saddiq seems to harbour a sense of cynicism and, possibly, bitterness, believing that there is a grand conspiracy against his tenure in Muar – thinking that the government is doing all it can to punish Saddiq for going independent.
But honestly, did Saddiq forget that he did the same thing in government – and one can’t help but raise the fact that Saddiq too, was guilty of practising “good feng shui” during his time in office – with a similarly significant allocation of RM 4 million for Tanjung Piai during the seat’s post-GE14 by-election.
Of course, back then, the government had a similar excuse. The RM4 million allocated to the Tanjung Piai federal constituency in Johor, where a by-election will soon be held, is a coincidence and not an attempt to fish for votes, as explained by then Prime Minister Tun Mahathir.
Now as a leader, particularly one who has declared himself a champion of justice, equality, and responsibility, Syed Saddiq should recognise that he will be held to a higher standard, and should not stoop to the level of those he disparages. The notion that good leaders "must be whiter than white" is not merely cynicism but a reflection of the expectations placed on leaders, especially in our religious and politically charged environment.
We all remember Dr Zakir Naik’s disparaging remarks against the Chinese and Indian communities just last year, where Syed Saddiq was quick to jump on the bandwagon as a hero defending the rights of Malaysian minorities. After Dr Zakir Naik’s questions on the loyalty of Chinese and Indian citizens of Malaysia – Syed Saddiq publicly stated that the fugitive preacher should be deported back to India.
It is no surprise that many still remember such hypocrisy. At the time, Syed Saddiq was the leader of his former party’s youth wing, ARMADA. Likely in an attempt to appease grassroots supporters and put on a show – he did what he felt was needed to reinforce his position among BERSATU members, among other dubious action by the former Minister to secure his position.
Many people are right to call him a hypocrite. Following the kick, he received from BERSATU, Syed Saddiq has been working hard to court the minorities of Malaysia that he threw under the bus. This includes being chummy with the biggest party in Parliament, DAP, through various social media stunts as well as campaigning for them in the recent Sabah by-elections.
Bear in mind that it was as recent as this year that he publicly denounced several key members of the party for “pressuring” Tun Dr Mahathir to step down as Prime Minister, and hand over the baton to PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as promised.
Of course, it does not make sense for him to cater to the Malay nationalist voter base again as none of the main parties wants him in their fold. Appealing to the middle ground, and the urban and younger voters is his only choice left.
The willingness to u-turn quickly paints the picture that he is a political chameleon with no real principles. It probably would not have mattered much if he did an excellent job as the Minister of Youth and Sports – alas he did not. Aside from lowering the voting age (which was wanted by both sides anyways), his tenure has been unremarkable at best.
So while Saddiq can post all the soundbites that he wants, there really isn’t much he can do but that – hopefully that will change as soon as he realizes the position that he is in.
Syed Saddiq seems to harbour a sense of cynicism and, possibly, bitterness, believing that there is a grand conspiracy against his tenure in Muar – thinking that the government is doing all it can to punish Saddiq for going independent.
But honestly, did Saddiq forget that he did the same thing in government – and one can’t help but raise the fact that Saddiq too, was guilty of practising “good feng shui” during his time in office – with a similarly significant allocation of RM 4 million for Tanjung Piai during the seat’s post-GE14 by-election.
Of course, back then, the government had a similar excuse. The RM4 million allocated to the Tanjung Piai federal constituency in Johor, where a by-election will soon be held, is a coincidence and not an attempt to fish for votes, as explained by then Prime Minister Tun Mahathir.
Now as a leader, particularly one who has declared himself a champion of justice, equality, and responsibility, Syed Saddiq should recognise that he will be held to a higher standard, and should not stoop to the level of those he disparages. The notion that good leaders "must be whiter than white" is not merely cynicism but a reflection of the expectations placed on leaders, especially in our religious and politically charged environment.
We all remember Dr Zakir Naik’s disparaging remarks against the Chinese and Indian communities just last year, where Syed Saddiq was quick to jump on the bandwagon as a hero defending the rights of Malaysian minorities. After Dr Zakir Naik’s questions on the loyalty of Chinese and Indian citizens of Malaysia – Syed Saddiq publicly stated that the fugitive preacher should be deported back to India.
It is no surprise that many still remember such hypocrisy. At the time, Syed Saddiq was the leader of his former party’s youth wing, ARMADA. Likely in an attempt to appease grassroots supporters and put on a show – he did what he felt was needed to reinforce his position among BERSATU members, among other dubious action by the former Minister to secure his position.
Bear in mind that it was as recent as this year that he publicly denounced several key members of the party for “pressuring” Tun Dr Mahathir to step down as Prime Minister, and hand over the baton to PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as promised.
Of course, it does not make sense for him to cater to the Malay nationalist voter base again as none of the main parties wants him in their fold. Appealing to the middle ground, and the urban and younger voters is his only choice left.
The willingness to u-turn quickly paints the picture that he is a political chameleon with no real principles. It probably would not have mattered much if he did an excellent job as the Minister of Youth and Sports – alas he did not. Aside from lowering the voting age (which was wanted by both sides anyways), his tenure has been unremarkable at best.
So while Saddiq can post all the soundbites that he wants, there really isn’t much he can do but that – hopefully that will change as soon as he realizes the position that he is in.
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