Syed Saddiq's Continued Political Theatre

Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, the Muar MP and former president of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA), has again taken to the Dewan Rakyat to lament his lack of parliamentary allocations. In another grandstanding performance, he accused the government of sidelining him despite his repeated negotiations with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

But is this a matter of political victimization, or is Syed Saddiq merely playing the martyr to stay relevant?

For over 400 days, he claims to have pursued funding, only to be rejected. Yet, the government has made it abundantly clear that parliamentary allocations are tied to bipartisan cooperation. Syed Saddiq, having distanced himself from the unity government, cannot expect to have the best of both worlds—playing the opposition while demanding government support. The reality is simple: in politics, alliances matter. If he refuses to engage constructively, why should he be entitled to the benefits of collaboration?

His latest attempt at fundraising—turning to modeling—has been met with mixed reactions. While some may commend his resourcefulness, others see it as a mere publicity stunt. A politician taking a modelling gig to fund his constituency might make for a good headline. Still, it underscores a deeper issue: his failure to secure sustainable support through legitimate political channels. Rather than building meaningful partnerships, he seems more focused on crafting an image of a struggling underdog, desperate to retain public sympathy.

His increasing entanglement with the entertainment industry adds to the scepticism surrounding him. His public appearances with actress Bella Astillah, including hiking Mount Kinabalu in traditional attire and participating in viral social media trends, have raised eyebrows. His critics, including Bukit Bendera MP Syarleena Rashid, have pointed out the obvious: he was elected to serve his constituents, not to chase celebrity status.

There is nothing inherently wrong with engaging in activities that connect with the youth. However, there is a fine line between using social media for outreach and using it for personal branding at the expense of parliamentary responsibilities. If Syed Saddiq is truly committed to Muar, he should focus on fulfilling his parliamentary responsibilities.

The crux of the issue is this: Syed Saddiq has a choice to make. He can either embrace the responsibilities of an elected leader—engaging constructively, securing necessary funds through proper negotiations, and prioritizing his constituency—or he can continue down the path of political showmanship, hoping that public sympathy will keep him afloat.

But sympathy alone does not build roads, create jobs, or improve education. It is time for him to decide whether to be a serious politician or a social media personality. Because right now, he is failing at both.

The Greatest Mistake of Mahathir, Pulau Batu Puteh

The loss of Batu Puteh (Pedra Branca) to Singapore has always been a sore spot for Malaysians. It’s not just about a piece of land—it’s about what it says about our leadership and how things were handled. And now, with the findings from the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI), it’s clear that this chapter is one of the biggest blunders tied to Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s leadership.

Let’s go back to the start. The ICJ ruled in 2008 that Batu Puteh belonged to Singapore. Years later, in 2017, Malaysia decided to try and get the decision reviewed, believing we had a strong case. But when Dr. Mahathir returned as Prime Minister in 2018, that effort was suddenly dropped. According to the RCI, this wasn’t something the Cabinet discussed properly or decided on together. Instead, Dr. Mahathir made the call on his own, brushing aside opinions from legal experts who believed we had a solid shot at reclaiming Batu Puteh.

Dr. Mahathir claimed Malaysia’s case was weak, but the RCI found otherwise. International legal experts, like Brendan Plant, thought we had a good argument and didn’t recommend giving up. Still, the government pulled out, and just like that, Malaysia lost any chance of getting Batu Puteh back.

This wasn’t just a bad decision—it was a reckless one. The RCI even suggested that Dr. Mahathir should face a criminal investigation for how he handled it. It’s not every day a former prime minister is accused of actions that cost the country its sovereignty.

This isn’t the first time Dr. Mahathir has been accused of acting unilaterally. His leadership has often been criticized for sidelining institutions and making decisions based on his own agenda. From the judicial crisis of 1988 to his controversial maneuvering for a so-called "unity government," Dr. Mahathir has often placed personal and political interests above collective governance. His insistence on being the sole decision-maker, even to the extent of sidelining the monarchy, has fueled a narrative of power consolidation is clear: when Dr. Mahathir wants something, it’s his way or the highway.

For many Malaysians, the loss of Batu Puteh feels like a betrayal. It’s a reminder of what happens when leaders put their own ambitions above the country’s needs. Dr. Mahathir’s fall from power in 2020, after trying to dissolve his Cabinet and push for a unity government, showed that his time had passed.

The story of Batu Puteh isn’t just about a piece of land. It’s about leadership, accountability, and the consequences of bad decisions. As a nation, we deserve leaders who listen, who consult, and who prioritize Malaysia’s interests above all else. Batu Puteh should never have been lost, and it’s a mistake we shouldn’t forget.

Dekati Selebriti, Taktik Baharu Syed Saddiq Pulih Imej?

Ahli Parlimen Muar, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman sejak akhir tahun lalu dilaporkan rapat dengan seorang selebriti perempuan.

Pelbagai portal media melaporkan tentang kemesraan Syed Saddiq bersama selebriti berkenaan.

Ada juga laporan yang mengatakan netizen merestui hubungan kedua-duanya.

Namun timbul tanggapan dalam minda pengkritik politik iaitu sama ada Syed Saddiq cuba menggunakan strategi baharu untuk mengubah naratif terhadap dirinya.

Syed Saddiq seperti kita sedia maklum telah terpalit dengan pelbagai kontroversi dan berdepan kes mahkamah akibat skandal kewangan.

https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/entertainment/2025/01/10/syed-saddiq-and-bella-astillah039s-playful-chemistry-sparks-relationship-speculation

Syed Saddiq bukan nama asing dengan kontroversi.

Antara kontroversi melibatkan dirinya adalah kes melibatkan dana politik dan keputusannya membawa Parti Ikatan Demokratik Malaysia (MUDA) keluar dari blok kerajaan atas alasan prinsip.

Namun, kebanyakan kontroversi berkenaan telah mencemarkan reputasinya.

Justeru, mendekati selebriti mungkin dilihat sebagai langkah strategik untuk menarik perhatian segmen masyarakat yang lebih luas, terutama generasi muda yang sering dipengaruhi oleh artis hiburan dan media sosial.

Namun, hubungan antara ahli politik dan selebriti bukanlah perkara baharu di Malaysia.

Selebriti sering digunakan untuk meningkatkan populariti politikus, sama ada melalui kempen atau sokongan terbuka.

Pendekatan Syed Saddiq pula lebih kepada percubaan untuk mengalihkan perhatian daripada isu-isu yang membelenggu dirinya kepada naratif ringan dan menghiburkan.

https://www.hotfm.audio/bella-astillah-ikut-syed-saddiq-balik-kampung-agihkan-bantuan-bersama/

Secara hakikatnya imej Syed Saddiq yang terpalit dengan kontroversi tidak mudah untuk dipulihkan.

Rakyat Malaysia tidak mudah melupakan isu-isu besar yang melibatkan seseorang ahli politik.

Kes mahkamahnya, yang melibatkan tuduhan pecah amanah, masih segar dalam ingatan rakyat.

Begitu juga dengan kritikan terhadap kepimpinannya dalam MUDA sebelum ini, yang dilihat sebagai parti tanpa hala tuju jelas.

Sebagai ahli Parlimen, Syed Saddiq sering dikritik kerana dianggap lebih banyak menumpukan perhatian kepada publisiti daripada menjalankan tanggungjawab utamanya.

Dalam konteks ini, mendekati selebriti mungkin dilihat sebagai satu lagi percubaan untuk meningkatkan populariti peribadi, bukannya memberi tumpuan kepada isu-isu penting yang melibatkan rakyat.

https://majoriti.com.my/berita/2024/10/04/bella-astillah-rupanya-bersahabat-baik-dengan-syed-saddiq-kongsi-mesej-kekeluargaan-dalam-lagu-tapi-bukan-denganmu

Rakyat Malaysia semakin bijak dalam menilai tindakan ahli politik.

Mereka sedar bahawa politik bukanlah sekadar soal imej, tetapi soal tindakan dan dasar yang membawa manfaat kepada negara.

Dalam kes Syed Saddiq, hubungan dengan selebriti tidak akan mengubah fakta bahawa beliau masih gagal menunjukkan kepimpinan yang kukuh atau memberi sumbangan signifikan kepada pembangunan negara.

Lebih membimbangkan, pendekatan seperti ini boleh dilihat sebagai usaha untuk menggambarkan dirinya sebagai individu yang relevan di mata rakyat tanpa memberikan penyelesaian konkrit kepada masalah yang dihadapi oleh masyarakat.

Naratif ini mungkin berjaya menarik perhatian ramai dalam jangka masa pendek, namun tidak akan membantu beliau dalam jangka masa panjang, terutamanya apabila imej politiknya telah terjejas.

https://www.mstar.com.my/spotlight/hiburan/2025/01/18/nampak-macam-oppa-bukan-yb-bella-astillah-makeover-penampilan-syed-saddiq

Tuntasnya, Syed Saddiq perlu memahami bahawa pendekatan yang berasaskan naratif selebriti tidak cukup untuk memulihkan kepercayaan rakyat.

Rakyat Malaysia mahukan pemimpin yang bukan sahaja popular, tetapi juga berintegriti dan mampu membawa perubahan sebenar.

Lebih penting lagi, Syed Saddiq perlu menunjukkan bahawa beliau belajar daripada kesilapan lalu dan bersedia untuk menjadi pemimpin yang lebih baik.

Jika tidak, beliau akan terus dilihat sebagai ahli politik muda yang gagal memenuhi harapan rakyat.