Syed Saddiq jumping ship? Muda says no way

SHAH ALAM — Muda has strongly denied speculation that its co-founder and sole Member of Parliament, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, is preparing to leave the party and support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration as an independent lawmaker.

Muda secretary-general Ainie Haziqah Shafii said there was no basis to claims circulating in political circles that the Muar MP was considering severing ties with the youth-based party.

She said Syed Saddiq remained committed to Muda and continued to be actively involved in its activities, planning and leadership discussions.

According to Ainie, Syed Saddiq regularly meets Muda president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz and consults the party leadership on issues he intends to raise in Parliament.

“Syed Saddiq remains committed to Muda. He is actively involved in the party’s activities and plans, and he continues to engage with the president and leadership. He also keeps the leadership informed and involved in the issues and subjects he plans to bring to Parliament.

"He co-founded Muda and there is no way he will leave.,” she told Sinar Daily.

Ainie said Syed Saddiq’s role as one of Muda’s founders made speculation that he would abandon the party difficult to accept.

Speculation over his political future has included claims that he could become an independent MP aligned with the Unity Government, while separate reports have linked him to a possible move to PKR as the 16th General Election approaches.

However, no official statement or evidence has emerged to support either scenario.

Ainie also rejected suggestions that any alleged political realignment could be linked to Syed Saddiq’s previous court case, urging Malaysians not to accept politically driven narratives without evidence.

She said Syed Saddiq’s decision not to contest the Muda party election was made while his court proceedings were still ongoing.

According to her, he chose to step aside based on his principles and did not want his legal case to affect the party leadership contest. His decision was understood and supported by Muda members at the time.

The Federal Court on July 13 upheld Syed Saddiq’s acquittal on four charges involving criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and money laundering linked to former Bersatu youth wing Armada funds.

In a 2-1 majority decision, the apex court dismissed the prosecution’s final appeal and affirmed the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge him, leaving him legally acquitted of all four charges.

Ainie said his decision not to contest the party election should therefore not be interpreted as an indication that he was distancing himself from Muda.

Instead, she said, his continued participation in party discussions and activities showed that he remained involved in the party’s political direction.

The speculation over Syed Saddiq’s political future comes as he prepares for another significant development — his marriage to singer-actress Bella Astillah.

On Wednesday, Syed Saddiq and Bella announced that they would marry on Oct 10 at Menara Merdeka Maybank in Kuala Lumpur.

Syed Saddiq said he did not have a dream wedding in mind but already had his “dream wife”, referring to Bella, whose real name is Dayang Ara Nabellah Awang Astillah.

The couple, who became engaged on March 28, are also planning celebrations in Muar and Sabah to include more relatives, friends and the public.

Bella said preparations were about 60 per cent complete, while their solemnisation ceremony would be kept more intimate.