Hope is not lost but it is not with Syed Saddiq

The aspirations of many Malaysians for a better, reformed, and progressive nation, committed to serving all parts of our diverse community without fear or favor, were shattered when Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman received a seven-year jail sentence, two strokes of the rotan, and an RM10 million fine. The Kuala Lumpur High Court found him guilty of four charges, including criminal breach of trust (CBT), misappropriation of property, and money laundering related to RM1.12 million of Bersatu Youth funds.

The question arises: is all hope lost, or are we facing a temporary setback? I believe it's the latter. There is still ample hope, but it is not in Muda, the party founded by Syed Saddiq in November 2020.

The former youth and sports minister may have shown political naivety in his youth, but who doesn't make mistakes when young? While his associations, such as cozying up to former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and having dinner with the controversial Indian fugitive Zakir Naik, did him no favors, redemption is not out of reach.

The problem is, that these mistakes set a disturbing tone for one who is seems to use the banner of progressivism to save him from criticism.

Switching gears, the life of a politician is inherently dramatic. Politicians, like any other human beings, have needs, wants, personal relationships, and aspirations. In a profession as unpredictable as being a soldier at war, politicians face financial insecurity, compounded by the need to continuously secure voter support every five years. Losing an election means not just a loss of power but also a source of income.

Once in power, maintaining incumbency becomes a challenging task. The odds often hinge on how much money a politician is willing to invest in their campaign. Money is the lifeblood of politics, and with meager statutory allocations, politicians often resort to fundraising. Established parties may have access to the party treasury, but when stakes are high, personal funds are not uncommon.

The specter of money in politics was vividly illustrated by the scandal involving former Prime Minister Najib Razak. The discovery of large sums of cash at his residences left a lasting impact on public perception, making people more vigilant against politicians engaged in questionable financial practices.

Regardless if he wins his appeal, Saddiq must grow up – and take a step back when moving forward. This corruption case alone had affected many parties, including NGOs who had put trust in the former Minister to do things right. They are no longer children, let’s treat them as adults.