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You Have Their Number, Syed Saddiq

Syed Saddiq has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons lately, facing a series of unfortunate incidents that have significantly tarnished his image in the eyes of the average Malaysian. His recent missteps and lack of political acumen have only compounded the damage.

One incident that brought almost the entire Malaysian social media community down on him was the controversy surrounding his supposed "completion" of the 113 Triathlon Desaru 2024. In a post that initially claimed he had secured 3rd place in the event, eagle-eyed netizens quickly debunked his assertion, raising questions over his actual achievement. Saddiq later admitted that this was an "honest mistake," but how often can he rely on such excuses? His consistent pattern of gaffes raises doubts about his credibility, both in his pursuits and, more importantly, in the political arena.
Most recently, Saddiq found himself in hot water again after criticising the government's purported plan to build a social media platform as part of its effort to regulate online content. His criticism was met with a swift response from Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who clarified that constructing a social media application would be far too costly and was not a government priority. Fahmi further chided Saddiq, pointing out that he had the minister's phone number and could have simply called to clarify the matter. This incident underscored a recurring theme in Saddiq's recent controversies: many could have been avoided with a simple phone call.

One of Saddiq's most consistent causes of late has been opposition funding. He has been vocal about the government's alleged failure to provide funding for opposition MPs, claiming that it is punishing the MPs and the constituents they represent. In particular, Saddiq has argued that the government is neglecting the people of Muar by withholding funding from him. Such a move, if true, would be a stark contradiction to the government's campaign promises of equal funding for all MPs.

However, the narrative is more complex than Saddiq might suggest. Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof revealed that a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) concerning the allocation of funds to opposition MPs had been finalised and was ready for submission. The catch? The opposition themselves have been dragging their feet on the matter. PN chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan confirmed that he had received the draft and that a meeting would be held to discuss it—nearly two weeks after Fadillah's statement.
If funding for Muar's constituents was indeed a priority for Saddiq, one might wonder why he has yet to take more decisive action. Given his close ties to Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders, couldn't he have reached out to them? He once declared Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin a father figure and proudly announced that he would serve as a bridge between the opposing political blocs. Yet, when it comes to securing vital funding for his constituents, it seems that Saddiq has been content to air his grievances publicly rather than address them directly with those who might resolve the issue.

Saddiq's recent behaviour raises questions about his political maturity and effectiveness. His frequent controversies and reliance on social media outbursts rather than direct communication reflect poorly on his ability to navigate Malaysia's complex political landscape. As his missteps pile up, one has to wonder: Why can’t you just give them a call?

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