Syed Saddiq quits govt bench - sources
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has followed through with his threat to withdraw support for the government bench in the Dewan Rakyat, according to sources.
Sources close to the Muda president said an official announcement is expected to be made later today, ahead of the special Dewan Rakyat sitting tomorrow for a mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan.
“YB (Syed Saddiq) has sent a letter to...
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has followed through with his threat to withdraw support for the government bench in the Dewan Rakyat, according to sources.
Sources close to the Muda president said an official announcement is expected to be made later today, ahead of the special Dewan Rakyat sitting tomorrow for a mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan.
“YB (Syed Saddiq) has sent a letter to Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul’s office at noon today, notifying his move to be a part of the opposition’s bench,” the source told Malaysiakini.
“But Muda will not join Perikatan Nasional. YB will be the third force.
“Muda remains supportive of the government’s agenda when it comes to voting (in the Dewan Rakyat) on constitutional and institutional reforms,” said the source.
The special Dewan Rakyat sitting tomorrow will see newly elected Pulai MP Suhaizan Kaiat from Pakatan Harapan joining the government bench and restoring its two-thirds majority.
However, Syed Saddiq's withdrawal of support will once again leave the government one seat short of the minimum number needed to pass several reforms, including citizenship rights for women married to non-Malaysians abroad and separating the offices of the attorney-general and solicitor-general.
A second source from Muda also confirmed Syed Saddiq’s decision and expected announcement this evening.
“There will also be an online town hall tonight for Syed Saddiq to answer any questions,” said the source from Muda's leadership.
Earlier today, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke reminded Syed Saddiq that the latter’s victory in the Muar parliamentary seat in the 15th general election (GE15) is due to Harapan’s backing.
On Sept 5, Syed Saddiq threatened the move if there was no explanation from the Attorney-General’s Chambers on the withdrawal of 47 corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The AGC has since said the withdrawal was based on cogent reasons.
In a statement issued this evening confirming Muda’s exit from the government bloc, the youth party said the main reasons for its decision were concerns about the rule of law, integrity, and ‘corruption culture’, opposition to the AGC’s decision to withdraw Zahid’s charges, and a lack of reforms by the government.
The party also affirmed that it will support the government on progressive reforms that need two-thirds support.
Good! I don’t trust this guy. He is Maha’s Trojan. Old man has taught him well. And I will never forget his Zakir Naik U-turn. Moreover, he himself is facing a CBT case. Hence, he is one to talk. That doesn’t mean, am okay with Zahid’s DNAA. If he is principled, the right thing to do is to vacate his seat. Baru principled!! Nothing but charade.