Sacked Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman is waiting for the right time to “jump ship” and is distancing himself from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, says a political observer.
Syed Saddiq’s absence when Dr Mahathir announced the setting up of a new party – Parti Pejuang Tanahair (Pejuang) – on Aug 7, not being named one of the party’s founding members and his no show at the Registrar of Societies to submit Pejuang’s registration form sparked talk that he plans to stay out of Pejuang.
And with Syed Saddiq planning to set up a youth-centred multiracial movement, Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Assoc Prof Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk says it all boils down to Syed Saddiq’s political survival.
“He has a long way to go. And I think he is taking the middle ground by not committing to Dr Mahathir,” said Azeem who is USM’s Centre for Policy Research and International Studies director.
“His political career is not going to be smooth-sailing. He is representing Muar and Johor is an Umno stronghold. If he is renominated in the state, he needs to reposition himself.
“He is reassessing his position and I think this is why he is distancing himself from Dr Mahathir,” Azeem said.
In a New Straits Times report today, Syed Saddiq was quoted as saying while he still respects and backs Dr Mahathir, he also respects Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the latter was the one who brought him into politics and he will continue to support the prime minister.
Azeem said Malaysians will not be receptive to the idea of a youth-based multiracial political party as people are more comfortable with an ethnic-majority party.
He said any attempt to push for the setting up of such a party will fail and it will inevitably be dominated by one group.
Azeem said attempts to set up the first multiracial party go as far back as 1951 – by Umno’s first president Datuk Onn Jaafar.
“But the Independence of Malaya party at that time failed,” said Azeem.
“While a multiracial party may appeal to younger voters among Klang Valley’s upper-middle class, the rural areas still have more parliamentary seats and a multiracial party will not be a force to be reckoned with.”
Azeem said while the idea of having young leaders seems to be thriving in several countries, politics is relative to where one resides.
“Europe is becoming more xenophobic these days and one major group dominates the society. Our country is unique as we allow different ethnic groups to form political parties.
“In the West, political parties are formed along ideological lines but in Malaysia, it is based on ethnic lines. And this is not seen anywhere else except some parts of India.”
He said while PKR, DAP and Gerakan claim to be multiracial, in essence, only one group will dominate the party.
“It should be noted that Gerakan is a regional party and it was only powerful in Penang. But it is made up of one ethnic group although it has a few Indians and Malays,” he added.
Here’s a round-up of The News Normal today.
BERSATU JOINS MUAFAKAT NASIONAL
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is now part of Muafakat Nasional. Its president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin submitted the acceptance letter on Tuesday after it was earlier invited to join the coalition.
Mufakat Nasional secretariat joint secretary Tan Sri Annuar Musa confirmed receiving Bersatu’s letter.
The coalition was initially made up of Umno and PAS.
HUMAN ORGAN TRADING SUSPECT’S REMAND EXTENDED BY FIVE DAYS
An alleged international human organ trader, who was remanded on Aug 14, will be in custody for five more days beginning today.
Assistant Registrar of the Kuching Subordinate Courts Dora Undau issued the order against the 48-year-old following an application by investigating officer ASP Nor Elyanis Mohd Yusoff.
The suspect was brought to the magistrate’s court after the first remand order expired yesterday. The man had surrendered on Aug 13 at the Kuching Police District Headquarters.
COURT DISMISSES APPLICATION AGAINST DISSOLUTION OF SABAH ASSEMBLY
The Kota Kinabalu High Court dismissed the judicial review application by 33 state assemblyman led by former chief minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman against Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin’s decision to dissolve the state assembly.
The application, filed on Aug 3, also questioned the request by Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal to Juhar on the dissolution of the assembly.
In striking out the application, Judicial Commissioner Leonard David Shim said the court had no justiciability to hear and decide on the matter.
The 33 assemblymen later filed an appeal over the matter.
AMATEURISH TIKTOK VIDS JUST DON’T TICK FOR COMPANIES
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought businesses to their knees, affecting the livelihoods of many and affecting the financial ecosystem.
It has also seen the mushrooming of video creators – most of them unleashing their video editing skills on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Certain corporations seem comfortable using free online editing tools and unqualified video editors to get their message across to cut costs.
But these tools, readily available online, are best for personal use. Companies, in wanting to make a difference, need to hire professionals now more than ever, writes Twentytwo13 creative editor, Amar Qastellani.
