Syed Saddiq will be a burden to PH, Muda - Analysts
MOHAMMAD FAIRUZ JUMAIN
SHAH ALAM - Political analysts believe that the court case surrounding Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman will affect the campaign of the party and Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the 15th General Election (GE15).
Political analyst and Senior Fellow of the Council of National Professors Dr Jeniri Amir said that the court case would definitely tarnish his and the party’s image to some extent even though the case was not yet final.
He said the issue could lead young voters to have a perception on Syed Saddiq as a leader who was embroiled in corruption issues.
“Syed Saddiq has always been seen to bring the issue of good governance and anti-corruption, but he was also called to court regarding this issue.
“No matter what, the people and voters need to be fair to him because this case is not final.
He still has a chance to clean up his image,” he said when contacted by Sinar Harian on Friday.
Meanwhile, another political analyst, Mujibu Abd Muis said the case involving Syed Saddiq would be used as ‘bullets’ and campaign capital for his political opponents.
“This issue will burden Syed Saddiq, Muda and PH. He is a prominent figure for young people and a platform for the problems of this group.
“If it was like the previous General Election (GE), some leaders decided not to contest because they were involved in court cases but in Syed Saddiq’s issue, maybe he will still compete,” he said.
Mujibu also said that Syed Saddiq might also be able to use this case as campaign capital.
“Perhaps he will use the excuse of ‘play victim’ (being a victim), persecuted and so on to gain sympathy,” he said.
Syed Saddiq who is also the Muar incumbent MP was ordered to enter defense by the High Court Friday on four charges of abetting breach of trust, misappropriation of property and money laundering (AMLA).
Judicial Commissioner Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid ruled this after he found that the prosecution had succeeded in proving a prima facie case against Syed Saddiq.
