16-11-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, the former Malaysian Minister of Youth and Sports, has been found guilty of corruption and sentenced to seven years in prison, two strokes of the cane, and fined RM10 million (US$2.1 million). Syed Saddiq, who was once hailed as a rising star in Malaysian politics, has vowed to appeal the ruling and clear his name.
Syed Saddiq, known for his good memory and optimistic demeanor, entered politics at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks. As a founding member and youth wing leader of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), he became a cabinet member when the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition came to power in 2018.
One of Syed Saddiq’s notable achievements as a minister was the lowering of the voting age from 21 to 18. However, the political landscape shifted when Bersatu, led by Muhyiddin Yassin, pulled out of PH and formed a new ruling coalition. In response, Syed Saddiq decided to form his own party, the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA), with a multiracial appeal.
Despite initial excitement and support from urban professionals, MUDA struggled to gain traction in elections. The party won only one seat in the Johor state election in 2022 and performed poorly in other federal and state elections. Additionally, Syed Saddiq faced criminal charges related to corruption and money laundering, tarnishing his image and that of his party.
The public reaction to Syed Saddiq’s conviction has been divided. Supporters see it as politically motivated, viewing him as a victim of his refusal to join the ruling coalition and his criticism of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government. Detractors, on the other hand, consider Syed Saddiq an embarrassment to the reformist cause and blame MUDA for splitting votes in elections.
Syed Saddiq has resigned from the presidency of MUDA, which has been struggling to find its place in Malaysia’s political landscape. The party’s focus on appealing to well-educated urban voters has been overshadowed by other parties within PH. Furthermore, the lowering of the voting age inadvertently brought in a conservative voter base that favors parties like PAS, leaving little room for MUDA’s progressive agenda.
Despite the bleak outlook on Syed Saddiq’s immediate political prospects, his youth and the fragmented nature of Malaysian politics leave room for a potential comeback in the future. Observers see his conviction as a testament to Malaysia’s judicial independence rather than a milestone in the government’s anti-corruption efforts.
As Malaysia’s politics continue to be marked by elite struggles and demographic shifts, the stability of the political landscape remains uncertain.
