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.