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KUALA LUMPUR – There appears to be mounting calls among supporters and the public for Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman to sit out the coming 15th general election (GE15) pending his ongoing corruption trial.
This comes after the high court yesterday ordered the incumbent Muar MP to enter his defence on the four charges levelled against him, and ahead of Muda’s announcement on its GE15 candidates tonight.
The general sentiment is that Syed Saddiq could prove to be a liability for his party and Pakatan Harapan (PH), with many social media users warning that opponents might use his case as political ammunition against the opposition bloc.
Many are also urging him to focus on his trial and to make a political comeback should the court later clear his name.
It is understood that there is now pressure from within the PH coalition to reclaim the Muar seat, to avoid potential defeat.
PKR Youth secretary Omar Mokhtar Manap, took to Twitter to say it would be a risk for Syed Saddiq to contest in the national polls, as the court’s verdict on his case is still anybody’s guess.
Agak berisiko @SyedSaddiq bertanding dalam PRU15.
— Omar Mokhtar (@omarmokhtar_my) October 28, 2022
Kita tidak tahu apa keputusan mahkamah nanti. Jika PH menang dengan majoriti tipis, PRK Muar tentu memberi kesan kepada Kerajaan Pakatan Harapan.
Harap Saddiq berjiwa besar, serahkan Muar untuk @anwaribrahim letakkan calon lain. pic.twitter.com/VW7Wel7Uc4
“If PH wins with a slim majority, and a Muar by-election is held later, this will certainly affect the PH government. I hope Saddiq will be big-hearted enough to give up Muar for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to choose another candidate.”
Fellow Twitter user @eddydaud said the Muda president ought to do Muar voters a favour by sitting out the election and allowing another candidate from the party to contest the constituency.
Syed Saddiq @SyedSaddiq do the Muar voters a favor, let another MUDA candidate contest in Muar for PRU15. You can campaign for MUDA nonetheless.
— ايدي بن داود Eddy Daud (@eddydaud) October 28, 2022
Time to show good leadership and sacrifice as MUDA leader Syed. https://t.co/jEtgs0iFzs
“Time to show good leadership and sacrifice as Muda leader, Syed,” he posted yesterday.
Twitter user @Kumar_Zone, commenting on a tweet by Syed Saddiq stating that he is yet to be found guilty, said it is best for the latter not to contest as a by-election would ensue if he is eventually convicted.
So, it is best you don't contest in the election, if you are found guilty (50% chance) and convicted, that might lead to an unnecessary by election. Not to mention this will be political fodder for the opposing camp. Stay out and campaign for MUDA. That would be honorable.
— kumarzone (XY, biology) (@Kumar_Zone) October 29, 2022
“Not to mention this will be political fodder for the opposing camp. Stay out and campaign for Muda. That would be honourable.”
Fellow Twitter user @qwertyKKM commented that it is a risk to allow him to contest and potentially lose Muar, and that he should “focus on (his) case and don’t be freaking greedy for power”.
Do not contest in GE. We dont want a person with Prima Facie to contest and lose Muar to BN/PN. Focus on your case and dont be freaking greedy for power
— Ayam Dinding (@qwertyKKM) October 28, 2022
Twitter user @fairuz_azmi83, meanwhile, said those wishing to be leaders should by right already understand the fundamentals of integrity, and that the use of personal accounts to receive huge amounts of public funds should not be allowed, referring to details in Syed Saddiq’s case.
In this regard, he said the Muda president should withdraw himself from taking part in the general election until his name is cleared.
You would expect that fundamental of integrity is already understood by those who wish to be leaders
— Fairuz Azmi 法瑞斯 🇲🇾 (@fairuz_azmi83) October 29, 2022
Use of personal account to receive huge amount of public fund is a BIG NO
Syed Saddiq should withdraw himself from taking part as candidate for GE15 until his name is cleared. pic.twitter.com/PQPqA2OOEF
Some, however, defended the Muar incumbent, saying that he should be allowed to contest in the polls as long as he is not found guilty, and that being ordered to enter a defence is not tantamount to conviction.
In delivering his decision yesterday, high court judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid said the prosecution had successfully proved a prima facie case against Syed Saddiq in all four of his charges, and ordered him to enter his defence.
He is charged with one count each of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of funds, and two counts of money laundering.
The court has set February 22 to 24, March 13 and 14, and April 10 to 14 as trial dates. – The Vibes, October 29, 2022