YOURSAY | 'Age is not equal to experience. Neither is age akin to wisdom.'
Harapan's youngest minister wants to prove sceptics wrong
Anonymous 2327531438397239: Congratulations to Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman on being appointed the minister for youth and sports.
One of your primary challenges is to take the “colour” out of all our sports and ensure there is a Malaysian face in the participation of all sports in the country.
Another area is the removal of political appointees from all governing sports councils and to ensure qualified professionals are in charge of the running and management of these bodies.
Khalid Gibran: This is how the new Malaysia values meritocracy? Selecting a 25-year-old kid to be a minister and making a joke of all the staff in the Sports Ministry?
This kid has hardly any working experience, hardly any life experience and he becomes a minister - is this a joke or reality show?
The wily sly old fox is just showing his ego and power that he can appoint anyone he likes and make the whole Pakatan Harapan a laughing stock.
Patathewoonie: Syed Saddiq is one of future potential leaders, but for a start, a deputy minister role would have been more appropriate for him.
Regardless, I hope he can bring unity among all races and be able to fend off Umno and BN attacks.
Thanabal Naidu: Syed Saddiq, age is just a number, so ignore the naysayers. What is most important for a minister is accountability, willingness to take positive and constructive criticism and most importantly, to fight corruption to the core.
Walk the talk. The sky is the limit. I trust you in your capability and delivering awesomeness to the beloved country we all love.
Lodestar: Syed Saddiq, at an age when people are enjoying the "best years of their lives," you have decided to take on the heaviest responsibilities.
This shows your passion, talent, dedication and motivation, including turning down a scholarship to Oxford University in order to serve the rakyat.
As for the sceptics, it was former Umno minister Hishammuddin Hussein who had derided you as "anak kuching" (a kitten) before GE14, but where is he now?
Anonymous_1371825132: If the negative arguments about Syed Saddiq's age and lack of experience are to be believed, then one should also believe that Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Justin Trudeau and Emmanuel Macron are aliens.
Age is not equal to experience. Neither is age akin to wisdom. Syed Saddiq is intelligent and hardworking; he took a course and stayed on it despite the challenges that were thrown in his path, and is young and energetic.
I think he will do well as a minister.
Appum: Brains, I'm sure you have, which means you can perform. So, just one advice to you if you want to be successful and be respected by the rakyat. Always be humble and honest in whatever you do.
Since you have been selected over a few more experienced youth leaders, you will be closely watched.
Allforit: I really hope you succeed, young man. The youth leaders that wanted PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad for the job do not report to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and you have to work with them.
If you think working life is a walk in the park, then welcome to the real world. Previously, you had criticised other leaders; now you will know what it is like to be on the other end of the pole.
KnockKnock: Syed Saddiq, you do not have to prove anything to anybody. Just do your job.
Always ask guidance from your seniors, though you might know how to deal with a matter. Always work as a team and leave your "pangkat" (post) aside.
Whatever new ideas you wish to implement, never, never, never broadcast it out unless you have really worked on it and the result justifies your aspirations.
Distance yourself from reporters as much as you may because most, though not all, are there to create nonsensical issues that most Malays and your rivals love to hear. They just want to see you slip, even a bit, with the intention of pulling you down.
Until now I feel you could learn much from your party president and Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali and Education Minister Maszlee Malik, all of whom talk actuality and facts, yet speak little.
These are the kinds of ministers I, for one, respect the most.
Pakcik Am: The young have the advantage of youth. Hopefully, this young man will study every problem and have plenty of consultation before making his recommendations to Parliament.
Vote Bn Out: Well young man, you will be under the microscope from now on. Overcome the ‘wet behind the ears’ syndrome quickly and above all, don't be corrupt in every sense of the word. And do your job as expected of you.
Eyes are watching, the walls are listening. Don't give the opposition any chance to nail you. That said, good luck to you, young man.
The Sounds: Syed Saddiq becoming the youth and sports minister is fine - this ministry needs a young, efficient person like him.
Come up with some fantastic ideas and ways to train more world-class sportsmen and sportswomen regardless of race for New Malaysia.
You will need to put a lot of special attention on Football Association Malaysia (FAM), for this sports organisation really makes Malaysians shameful. We are now in 171th position in world rankings, which is very embarrassing.
FreeAtLast: Yes, Minister, if you manage to clean up the mess that is FAM and Malaysia's football team qualifies for the next World Cup, everybody will gladly shut up for sure.
Heck, we'll vote for you as the next PM too.
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