INTERVIEW | Pakatan Harapan's youngest minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman is determined to prove wrong sceptics who had doubts over his appointment to lead the Youth and Sports Ministry.

In an interview with Malaysiakini shortly after he arrived at the Subang Jaya airport from Johor Bahru yesterday, the 25-year-old said similar doubts were also raised in the past over his appointments as Bersatu Youth chief, the sole youth representative in Harapan's presidential council, as well as the coalition's candidate for the Muar parliamentary seat against former Umno deputy minister Razali Ibrahim.

"While the scepticism is there, I think the best response would be to prove to the sceptics that I am able to work for them, I am able to raise the voice of youths and that no youths will be left behind," stressed the Muar MP who joined the ranks of Harapan leaders sworn in during a ceremony held at Istana Negara this morning.

"I feel honoured. At the same time, the appointment comes with a huge responsibility on my shoulders," said Syed Saddiq when asked for his initial reaction to the much-awaited announcement which ended speculations over Harapan's final cabinet line-up.

More than just a personal recognition by the current Harapan administration towards capabilities of a young leader, he further said more youths should now feel empowered to take up leadership roles in their own capacity.

"To the youth out there, there will be those who say that you are too young, too inexperienced, too immature, for you to partake in the nation-building process.

"But rest assured, as long as you are passionate and you are motivated, as long as we the young people of Malaysia remain united, and we love our country, just by dreaming that dream we can make the impossible possible," he stressed.

Among others, he credited former student activist Adam Adli Abdul Halim as being among those who had inspired him to speak up on various issues.

"If the current government can acknowledge the worthiness of a 25-year-old, I am very sure they will acknowledge the voice of young people of various age groups, of various race and religion."

While former youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin was recognised for his active participation in various sporting activities, Syed Saddiq is more known for his achievements as a former national debater during his undergraduate years at the International Islamic University of Malaysia.

Quizzed on whether he sees himself being able to take over Khairy's role to promote an active lifestyle, Syed Saddiq merely smiled and said: "Wait and see, and join me."

"I didn't graduate from the Royal Military College for no particular reason," he added.

'No witch hunt'

On his immediate plans for the ministry, Syed Saddiq said he has a list of ideas to be implemented but remained coy on the details as he would prefer to first consult with senior ministry officials who are more experienced in their field.

Pledging to enforce a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption from his first day in office, he, however, reassured that there would be no immediate "witch hunt" to pinpoint mistakes made by the previous administration.

"I want to make this clear. I don't want my entrance to just be seen as a witch hunt for the mistakes of the previous government," he stressed.

"I don't want things to just be focused on mistakes of the past administration. I think that's a bad way to start.

"There will be a cleaning up but the cleaning up will not be defined by a witch hunt," said Syed Saddiq who instead suggested that the success of his ministry will be defined by its ability to empower the youths to partake in the nation-building process.

Aside from meeting with ministry officials, he said his immediate plans include to hold official visits to Sarawak and Sabah as a way to assess existing sports infrastructures and determine whether there are necessary upgrades that must be implemented.

In total the new Harapan government comprises 26 full ministers, 13 of whom were previously sworn in on May 21, nearly two weeks after its historic victory against BN in the 14th general election.