LETTER | Here is a young, promising MP who literally “ran the talk”, setting a record benchmark for the true meaning of service to one’s constituency. 

Running a total of 170km, this “Larian Kesyukuran” (Gratitude Run) that was courageously undertaken by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abd Rahman ended at Laman Maharani in Muar, marking the culmination of a charity mission that began on July 16 from Putrajaya.

Indeed, it takes a man of conviction, honour, and determination to undertake and complete such a mammoth task, raising RM650,959, which exceeded the initial target of RM200,000. 

The sum raised also endorses an underlying truth, namely, citizens’ support for principle-centred politics is alive and kicking.

Reflecting on Syed Saddiq’s unprecedented achievement, many would agree that it should serve as a relevant, timely message to other politicians, especially when the nation is soaking in corrupt practices.

A political position is a passport to travel the distance to meaningfully serve the nation by honourably meeting the needs of deserving citizens.

All these past decades, we have only heard of politicians taking the easy route by asking the government to give them allocations to help their constituencies.

Lest we forget, we have also heard how allocations from the federal government were not fully accounted for, giving rise to suspicions, allegations, speculations, and even established facts of how the funds never reached the needy citizens, or merely trickled in in half measures. 

Hopefully, Syed Saddiq’s inspiring and hope-igniting run will send a siren call to our politicians.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.