DAP lawmaker Charles Santiago has urged Pakatan Harapan leaders to support Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman over the latter's call to weed out money politics.

“How we deal with this issue is crucial as the people are watching our every move. Harapan leaders must, therefore, throw their support behind Syed Saddiq at a meeting to discuss this issue.

“We need to support his warning to party members against the culture of seeking business contracts and positions. Anything short of that will be a betrayal to the mandate given to Harapan,” Santiago said in a statement today.

The Klang MP said it is pertinent that Harapan “shakes off every bit of Umno mentality” and not allow money politics to set the tone for how things are done in the coalition.

Santiago also criticised Bersatu division leaders for boycotting Syed Saddiq (photo) and disagreed with their argument in favour of government contracts.

“I vehemently denounce the boycott against Syed Saddiq by division leaders who shamelessly argue that they lost everything when they left Umno for Bersatu and hence it is fine to use their power to solicit business deals.

“The old-timers didn't sacrifice their jobs and positions when they left Umno. They left a sinking ship hoping to find similar opportunities in Bersatu.

“Do not get me wrong: it is perfectly fine for these division heads to also be successful businesspeople. But they must go through an open process to acquire jobs and contracts,” he added.

Santiago said politicians should not pull strings and use their positions to secure business opportunities.

“This cannot be condoned. And if we turn a blind eye now, we are no better than Umno,” he added.

Malaysiakini understands that the Harapan presidential council meeting to be held tomorrow will discuss this matter.

On Jan 1, Malaysiakini reported that Bersatu division chiefs discussed ousting Syed Saddiq over the government contracts issue.

During the Bersatu annual general assembly, Syed Saddiq singled out the Federal Territories Bersatu representative for demanding contracts and positions, and for claiming that he had been promised these by a minister.

He slammed the delegate and warned that this could court the attention of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.