Syed Saddiq on shortlist for Young Politician of The Year 2020
Former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has been shortlisted for the Young Politician of The Year 2020 award by a global organisation.
One Young World, which focuses on promoting and connecting impactful young leaders around the world, said on its website that 15 candidates have been shortlisted for the accolade because of the considerable effect they have made on politics.
Former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has been shortlisted for the Young Politician of The Year 2020 award by a global organisation.
One Young World, which focuses on promoting and connecting impactful young leaders around the world, said on its website that 15 candidates have been shortlisted for the accolade because of the considerable effect they have made on politics.
"The One Young World Politician of the Year Award recognises five of the world's most outstanding politicians between the ages of 18 and 35, who are using their positions to make a positive impact on young people in their communities and countries.
"Through their important work, these candidates highlight the benefit of including young people in politics," the organisation said in its announcement.
It listed Syed Saddiq's (above) contribution as the person responsible for the Yellow Ribbon Project, which aimed to give second chances at employment to young former convicts.
The initiative was first launched in October 2018, with the cooperation of the Home Ministry to help former prisoners and inmates of rehabilitation centres, especially youths.
As of February this year, the project was said to have benefited a total of 24,234 youths.
While the organisation only listed the Yellow Ribbon Project, Syed Saddiq's other notable contributions include his push for the country to lower Malaysia's voting age from 21 to 18.
A bill to change the voting age was finally given a nod by Parliament last year.
Among the early members of Bersatu, Syed Saddiq is a strong proponent of anti-corruption initiatives in the government, especially in the ministry he had helmed.
He is also the youngest MP to be made a member of the cabinet so far.
Others shortlisted for the award include Zarifa Ghafari (Afghanistan) who is the first female mayor in the history of Afghanistan; Ofelia Fernández (Argentina) who is a member of the Buenos Aires City Legislature elected at 19; Amelia Womack (UK) who is the deputy leader of the Green Party of England and Wales; and Erik Marquardt (Germany) who is a member of the European Parliament and the German Green Party.
In a statement later, Syed Saddiq said he was overjoyed to have made it to the shortlist but stressed that it was not all his individual achievement.
He expressed his appreciation for the others who had been together with him, especially those who worked with him in the ministry during his stint there.
"Throughout the time we worked together, KBS (the ministry) had successfully planned the Yellow Ribbon Project initiative which had given jobs to more than 1,583 youths who were at risk as well as former young inmates.
"While Undi18 has given 7.8 million youths aged 18 and above their right under the Federal Constitution to shape the country's future," he said.
Syed Saddiq also mentioned two other initiatives including the Malaysia Future Leaders School which had seen the participation of 24,403 young leaders between the ages of 15 and 17.
The Youth and Sports Ministry under him had also, he added, played an important role in bringing young businesspersons into the National Economic Action Council and helped develop the Corporate Fellow project.
"For the youths out there, I place my full confidence in you for the future of this nation. Believe me that all the time and energy that we spend for the country will definitely bear fruit," said Syed Saddiq.
