Syed Saddiq To Set Up Multiracial Youth Party To Empower The Younger Generation
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, however, had earlier said that he will continue supporting former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 24 Aug 2020, 12:44 PM
Former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has confirmed that he will not join Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's new party, but will instead set up a party of his own
Speaking to Singapore's CNA, Syed Saddiq said the new party will be multiracial and youth-centric, reported Free Malaysia Today.
"If in Thailand they can set up Future Forward, in France they can set up En Marche under Macron, I think it is timely in Malaysia to start up a movement made of young people," said the Muar Member of Parliament (MP).
"Of young technocrats, professionals, young politicians from different backgrounds to come together to ensure that the youth's voice will dominate in Parliament and outside of Parliament, that in the end, the youth can never be taken lightly anymore."
"It is timely today so that politics will never be chained by the same people, being controlled and monopolised by the same old people," he told CNA while campaigning for the Slim by-election.
However, forming his new party does not mean that he will cut ties with former Bersatu chairman Dr Mahathir
Last Friday, 21 August, the former Bersatu youth chief said he will continue "to support and respect" the former prime minister because he believes in Dr Mahathir's aspiration.
"He could easily be Perikatan Nasional's (PN) prime minister, but chose not to as it was against what he fought for," said the 27-year-old, reported The Star.
"I still respect Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as he was the one who brought me into politics."
Speculation of Syed Saddiq forming his own party emerged after he was not seen together with Dr Mahathir when the latter announced his new party earlier this month
The former Bersatu chairman was fired from the party he co-founded three months ago following the political crisis in February this year, which ultimately caused the downfall of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
Following that, Dr Mahathir, along with five MPs who were also expelled from Bersatu, formed 'Parti Pejuang Tanah Air' (PEJUANG) to defend Malay interests and fight corruption.
During PEJUANG's party debut press conference on 7 August, Syed Saddiq was nowhere to be seen and was said to be attending his mother's retirement ceremony in Johor.
Dr Mahathir's new party is an independent party that does not align with either PH nor PN.
As of press time, it is uncertain if Syed Saddiq's new party will be contesting alongside PEJUANG in the next General Election.
