Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman

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In this Malay name, there is no family name. The name Abdul Rahman is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Saddiq.
Yang Berhormat Tuan

Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman

MP
سيد صديق سيد عبدالرحمن‎
Syed Saddiq (cropped).jpg
Saddiq in 2019
1st President of the
Malaysian United Democratic Alliance
Incumbent
Assumed office
17 September 2020
Vice PresidentSiti Rahayu Baharin
Lim Wei Jiet
Mutalib Uthman
Shahrizal Denci
Thanussha Francis Xavier
Preceded byPosition established
1st Youth Chief of the
Malaysian United Indigenous Party
In office
7 September 2016 – 28 May 2020
PresidentMuhyiddin Yassin
DeputyMohd Aizat Roslan
ChairmanMahathir Mohamad
(2018–2020)
Muhyiddin Yassin (Acting) (2020)
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byWan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal
Ministerial roles
2018–2020Minister of Youth and Sports
Faction represented in Dewan Rakyat
2018–2020Pakatan Harapan
2020Malaysian United Indigenous Party
2020–Independent
Personal details
Born
Syed Saddiq bin Syed Abdul Rahman

(1992-12-06) 6 December 1992 (age 28)
Pulai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Political partyBERSATU (2016–2020)
MUDA (since 2020)
Other political
affiliations		Pakatan Harapan (2016–2020)
EducationRoyal Military College
Alma materInternational Islamic University Malaysia (LLB)
OccupationPolitician
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman on Facebook
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman on Parliament of Malaysia

Syed Saddiq bin Syed Abdul Rahman (Jawi: سيد صديق بن سيد عبدالرحمن; born 6 December 1992) is a Malaysian politician who is currently the Member of Parliament (MP) for Muar since May 2018. He was the Minister of Youth and Sports in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration under former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad from July 2018 to the collapse of the PH administration in February 2020. He was a founding member of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), a former component party of the PH coalition and served as 1st Youth Chief of BERSATU from September 2016 to his removal from the party in May 2020. He later co-founded the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) in September 2020.

He is the youngest cabinet Minister to be appointed at the age of 25 as well as the third youngest MP after also 2018-elected P. Prabakaran (21) and 1976-elected Najib Razak (22) since Independence in the history of Malaysia.[1][2]

Early life and education[]

Saddiq was born on 6 December 1992 in Pulai, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. His father is a Singaporean, who used to work as a construction worker in Singapore. His mother used to be an English teacher.[3] The youngest of four siblings, he had studied at the Royal Military College (RMC) before continuing his studies at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in Bachelor of Laws (LLB). During his time at IIUM, he competed in an Asian-level debate competition and successfully won the United Asian Debating Championship (UADC).[4] He is widely known in the debating community after having won Asia’s Best Speaker award at the Asian British Parliamentary (ABP) Debating Championship three times.[5]

In 2017, he allegedly rejected a scholarship worth about RM400,000 to pursue his studies at Oxford University, England to remain active in politics.[6] A year later, after being elected as MP at the age of 25, Syed Saddiq once again allegedly dismissed another scholarship offer, this time rejecting the Chevening Scholarship proposal to pursue a Master in Public Policy at Oxford University.[7]

In April 2021, he successfully completed the Lee Kuan Yew Senior Fellowship in Public Service Programme at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.[8][9][10]

Political career[]

Early political career and formation of BERSATU[]

Saddiq as a law graduate came to prominence in 2016 when he joined 24 other youths, a group that called themselves Change Led by the Young Generation (Challenger), published a statement rejecting Najib Razak’s leadership over the scandal of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).[5]

Saddiq was the leader of ARMADA (Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda); the youth wing of the BERSATU.[11] He has been a spokesperson for the party since its inception in September 2016 and is considered one of the founding members and sits on the party council.[12][13]

2018 Malaysian general election, Minister of Youth and Sports and Undi18[]

Saddiq made his debut contesting the 2018 general election (GE14) for the Muar parliamentary seat and was elected to the Parliament.[14][15][16] He was then appointed as the Minister of Youth and Sports in the PH new government making him the youngest ever federal minister in 2018 since Malaysia's independence.[5][17]

As the Minister of Youth and Sports, Saddiq has pushed for a lower voting age, or eligibility to vote in Malaysia, from 21 to 18 years old ahead of the 15th General Election (GE15), an effort dubbed "Undi18".[18] However, he has agreed that first a political exposure programme for the young people of Malaysia is needed.[19] In July 2019, Saddiq has tabled a Bill in Parliament to amend the Federal Constitution to lower the voting age to 18[20] but was withdrawn and re-tabled later after it was tweaked to accommodate some changes.[21] The Dewan Rakyat on 16 July unanimously passed the re-tabled amendments Bill to lower the voting age, as well as eligibility to contest in election to 18 and automatic registration of voters by Election Commission (EC).[22][23][24]

Expulsion from BERSATU and formation of MUDA[]

He became an Independent in May 2020 after being terminated as a member and 1st Youth Chief of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), which was a component party of the then-ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.[25]

Following his expulsion from Bersatu, Mahathir and his-led MPs have formed a new party,[26] named Party of Homeland's Fighters (PEJUANG).[27] However, on 21 August, Syed Saddiq announced that he will be establishing a new multi-racial, youth-centric party instead of joining his colleagues in PEJUANG much to Mahathir's disdain.[28][29]

On 17 September 2020, he launched the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) but has yet to be registered and become its President.[30]

Controversies[]

Criticism on Nurul Hidayah[]

On September 2015, Saddiq said he would "teach" the daughter of 11th Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Nurul Hidayah Ahmad Zahid, who criticized participants in the Bersih 4.0 demonstration.[31]

Comment about Najib Razak[]

Najib Razak, 6th Prime Minister of Malaysia

On November 2015, Saddiq admitted that he had supported Najib Razak, but later said Najib had embarrassed the country because of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal.[32]

Comment about Ketuanan Melayu[]

On October 2018, he said that Ketuanan Melayu had ended by calling the term nothing more than a mere meaningless phrase. His statement then evoked various responses from many parties.[33]

Comment about Rome Statute[]

He defended the actions of four academics who allegedly submitted an executive summary on the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to the Conference of Rulers and insisted their actions were part of the academic freedom promised by Pakatan Harapan (PH) in celebrating democracy and differences of opinion in Malaysia.[34]

Relationship with Tunku Ismail Idris[]

Tunku Ismail Idris Abdul Majid Abu Bakar Iskandar Sultan Ibrahim Ismail, current heir apparent to the throne of Johor

In 2019, he denied being in an "open warfare" with the Crown Prince of Johor, Tunku Ismail Idris Abdul Majid Abu Bakar Iskandar Sultan Ibrahim Ismail. He responded on his Twitter to Tunku Ismail Idris that there were some parties had considered it a “declaration of war”.[35]

Probed for video on police brutality[]

Saddiq is an avid social media user and regularly posts about political and social issues in Malaysia. In May 2021, he was investigated by the Malaysian police for a video he posted on Tik Tok. In this video, he demanded justice for the late who recently died in police custody. Saddiq starts the video[36] with the hashtag #justiceforganapathy and goes on to describe the serious injuries inflicted on Ganapathy that ultimately led to his death. Saddiq continues by saying "police brutality is a serious issue" and then he begins to list the names of the men that have died in police custody custody from the year 2009 to 2021. Saddiq then ends the video by encouraging viewers to "push for the IPCMC bill (to establish the Independent Police Complaints & Misconduct Commission) and to push for justice".

On 22 May 2021, the police brought Saddiq into the Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters, seized his phone and took control of his Instagram and Tik Tok accounts after being instructed to do so by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).[37] According to Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri, the deputy director of the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department, Saddiq was being investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code[38] and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.[39]

However, MCMC has denied instructing the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to seize Saddiq's phone, they merely "acted as a technical agency in assisting police investigation".[40] Despite claims from Saddiq that this was a "politically motivated move orchestrated by MCMC",[37] the MCMC stated that they will continue to "provide assistance and technical recommendations for the investigation without any hidden agenda including political agenda".[40]

Charges of breach of trust[]

On 22 July 2021, Saddiq was charged with two counts of breach of trust of money belonging to BERSATU as well as a contribution fund amounting to RM1.1 million by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex. However, he pleaded not guilty to both convictions and was released on bail of RM330,000 with additional conditions.[41]

On 5 August 2021, Saddiq had been charged with a two corruption charges of money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act at the Johor Baru Sessions Court. Saddiq pleaded not guilty to the charges involving a total of RM100,000.[42]

Election results[]

Parliament of Malaysia[43][44][45]
Year Constituency Government Votes Pct Opposition(s) Votes Pct Ballots cast Majority Turnout
2018 P146 Muar, Johor Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (PPBM) 22,341 53.09% Razali Ibrahim (UMNO) 15,388 36.57% 42,719 6,953 84.02%
Abdul Aziz Talib (PAS) 4,354 10.34%

External links[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Dr M, Mukhriz, Syed Saddiq and two others sacked from Bersatu". The Star Online. MSN. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  2. ^ Syed Farradino Omar. "MALAYSIA BAHARU: Syed Saddiq: Muar Kitten Ready to Roar in Putrajaya". Awani Review. Astro Awani. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  3. ^ Amy Chew (21 March 2018). "Johor born Syed Saddiq an emerging voice for Malaysian?". Channel News Asia. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  4. ^ Dina Murad (12 June 2015). "IIUM debate team is Asia's best". The Star Online. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c Amir Yusof (2 July 2018). "Syed Saddiq appointed Malaysia's youngest-ever minister at 25 years old". Channel News Asia. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Syed Saddiq turns down Oxford for politics". New Straits Times. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  7. ^ "Syed Saddiq turns down Oxford a second time". Free Malaysia Today. 2 June 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  8. ^ "Syed Saddiq says done with Singapore studies, raring to 'rebuild Malaysia', offers RM50,000 to Muar constituents". Malay Mail. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  9. ^ "Facebook Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman". Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  10. ^ Amir Yusof (4 April 2021). "'I've learnt things I wouldn't have elsewhere': Malaysia's Syed Saddiq on Singapore experience". Channel News Asia. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
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  20. ^ Hemananthani Sivanandam, Martin Carvalho, Rahimy Rahim and Tarrence Tan (4 July 2019). "Bill to lower voting age tabled for first reading". The Star Online. Retrieved 16 July 2019.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Hemananthani Sivanandam, Martin Carvalho, Rahimy Rahim and Tarrence Tan (10 July 2019). "Govt withdraws 'Vote at 18' Bill to tweak it (corrected)". The Star Online. Retrieved 16 July 2019.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ Martin Carvalho, Hemananthani Sivanandam, Rahimy Rahim and Tarrence Tan (16 July 2019). "Dewan Rakyat passes Bill to amend Federal Constitution to lower voting age to 18". The Star Online. Retrieved 16 July 2019.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ Nuradzimmah Daim, Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi (16 July 2019). "Dewan Rakyat approves 'Vote 18'". New Straits Times. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  24. ^ Clarissa Chung (16 July 2019). "Syed Saddiq lauds move to lower voting age to 18". The Star Online. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
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  26. ^ "Tun Mahathir umum akan tubuh parti Melayu baharu". 7 August 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
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  30. ^ "Muda says registration stifled as RoS still checking three new founders' background". Malay Mail. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
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  34. ^ Ahmad Suhael Adnan (9 April 2019). "Syed Saddiq pertahan tindakan 4 ahli akademik". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  35. ^ Elly Fazaniza (10 April 2019). "Syed Saddiq denies 'open warfare' with TMJ". The Sun Daily. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
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  37. ^ Jump up to: a b "After 2-hour probe, Syed Saddiq has his phone seized by cops". Free Malaysia Today. 22 May 2021.
  38. ^ "S505(b) Penal Code as of February 2018" (PDF).
  39. ^ "Section 233 Communications Act 1998 ( Improper use of network facilities or network service, etc.)" (PDF).
  40. ^ Jump up to: a b "MCMC denies ordering police to seize Syed Saddiq's handphone".
  41. ^ Umavathi Ramayah (22 July 2021). "Syed Saddiq mengaku tidak bersalah atas dua tuduhan pecah amanah". Astro Awani (in Malay). Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
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  43. ^ "Malaysia General Election". undiinfo Malaysian Election Data. Malaysiakini. Retrieved 4 February 2018. Results only available from the 2004 election.
  44. ^ "SEMAKAN KEPUTUSAN PILIHAN RAYA UMUM KE – 14" (in Malay). Election Commission of Malaysia. Retrieved 17 May 2018. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
  45. ^ "The Star Online GE14". The Star. Retrieved 24 May 2018. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
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