Syed Saddiq steps down as Muda president

Muda’s Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman stepped down as party president after being found guilty in a RM1.12 million misappropriation case earlier today.

The party’s deputy president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz will now be Muda’s acting president.

“When Muda was founded, it was to bring new politics, one that goes beyond parties and political personalities. (One that is) reputable and with integrity.

“In order to be president of Muda…. that leader must be ‘whiter than white’, as our responsibilities are out of the ordinary.

“No one, not even myself, is bigger than the party .... and the fact of the matter is that today, I don’t deserve that role anymore.

“I will vacate my post as Muda’s president immediately while I clear my name in court,” he said during a press conference at Muda’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya.

Syed Saddiq said the decision was made collectively during a discussion with Muda’s central leadership, following his conviction.

He added that moving forward, he will not involve himself or be involved in party discussions.

Earlier today, the Kuala Lumpur High Court found Syed Saddiq guilty of four charges involving criminal breach of trust (CBT), misappropriation of property, and money laundering linked to RM1.12 million of Bersatu Youth fund.

The former youth and sports minister was sentenced to seven years in jail, two strokes of the rotan, and slapped with an RM10 million fine.

However, judge Azhar Abdul Hamid allowed the defence's application to stay the execution of all the sentences pending Syed Saddiq's appeal to the Court of Appeal.

'It's a matter of principle'

Syed Saddiq said that the decision to step down from his role was due to his own principles and beliefs as a party president.

"It's important to admit that Muda is more than me as a person, and I need to walk the talk.

"This (decision) isn't a matter of legality or bureaucracy, but a matter of principle.

"When I joined politics, I wanted to clean (the political field) of my homeland. I will do anything that gets there," he said.

Asked if he would resume his position as Muda's president if he was acquitted of his charges following the appeal process, Syed Saddiq reiterated that he would not be part of the party's central leadership and its decisions.

"But I am still a Muda member. I vacate my position as president while clearing my name in court, but will continue to support the party and as an MP," he said.

He maintained that he would keep his role as Muar MP until the end of the appeal process.

Meanwhile, Aisya said that she will continue to bring the party's struggle forward and will not give up on achieving their goals.

Both Aisya and Syed Saddiq were one of the several members who founded Muda in 2020.

Syed Saddiq was ousted from Bersatu just several months prior.

While his other sacked peers, including former prime minister and Syed Saddiq’s then-mentor Dr Mahathir Mohamad, formed the Malay-based party Pejuang, Syed Saddiq chose to instead form a new multiracial party targeted at the youth.

COMMENT | Of DNAAs and excessive punishments

Leaders must be 'whiter than white' - Syed Saddiq

Syed Saddiq to know fate on CBT, money laundering case tomorrow