Leaders must be 'whiter than white' - Syed Saddiq

Hinting at his political future, Muda president Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman said good leaders in Malaysia must be "whiter than white".

He dropped the cryptic phrase after the Kuala Lumpur High Court earlier today found him guilty in an RM1.12 million misappropriation case and sentenced him to seven years in jail and RM10 million fine (however, there is a stay of execution on the sentence pending appeal).

"To change Malaysia is not about a person but about building institutions that will outlast the party and personality, so that the correct path remains despite whoever is in power.

"To be a leader to develop Malaysia, an individual must be whiter than white; to be a good leader to realise the Malaysian dream, have to be whiter than white,” the 30-year-old told the media at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex.

"That would be the most important factor for me to make a decision, which I will table to the leadership of Muda after consultation and discussion," he said, responding to media queries on whether he would step down as Muda president, following his criminal conviction and sentencing.

A matter of principle

He added that the decision on his political future would be announced during a press conference at 5pm today.

However, when journalists persisted in seeking a clearer answer from him, Syed Saddiq reiterated that the media should attend this afternoon's press conference to get the answer.

"Step down? Personally, I made up my mind even before the (court) decision came in. It is a matter of principle. I cannot preach something but do something beholden to my words," he said.

While acknowledging that he would be appealing to the Court of Appeal against his conviction and sentencing, Syed Saddiq said he still respects today's High Court ruling.

"As a policy maker (Muar MP), I need to put my faith in the judiciary then, now and in the future; there is no difference between me and other people.

"I have discussed this with my lawyers, and I understand we have a good case to file an appeal as soon as possible to the Court of Appeal so that the judiciary can be the final arbiter of my fate and the best platform to clear my name.

"In this chapter, I hold to the saying 'berani kerana benar' (do right and fear no man)," the former Bersatu youth chief said.

Meanwhile, during the same media conference, his lead defence counsel Gobind Singh Deo said they would be filing their appeal this afternoon.

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