'Attack my family, and I will retaliate like never before'

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has vowed that if his family is "attacked", he would hit back “like never before.”

Facing criticism after he revealed he would be turning down a scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree at Oxford University, Syed Saddiq explained that many have misunderstood why he made this decision.

“I won’t deny that Oxford has been my dream since long ago, even more so when the offer is for a Master’s in public policy along with a RM400,000 scholarship.

“But when threats are delivered to not just me, but also my family, I will not stay silent. Even though in the beginning I wanted to go, but they made a mistake (in threatening me).

“If they attack my family, I swear to Allah, that I will retaliate like never before,” he said in a series of Twitter postings today.

After he announced he would not be going to Oxford on Monday, Syed Saddiq claimed threats were made against him and his family to convince him to leave Bersatu.

He further claimed that when that did not work, he was offered RM5 million in cash and grants to set up debate schools nationwide by an individual allegedly linked to the Prime Minister’s Department, whom he identified only as “H.”

Elaborating on the issue on his Twitter today, he said the more he is pressured, the more he will fight back.

“That is why I made the decision to postpone my Master’s at Oxford.

“I can go to Oxford after the elections. Oxford can wait.

“Dear Oxford, you will have to wait. Malaysia is and will always be my priority,” he tweeted.

He revealed that even his close friends had told him to leave Malaysia for Oxford, for the sake of his own future.

But he claimed that if he were to do so, it would only benefit himself, whereas if he stayed and fought for Malaysia, he would be helping all Malaysians.

“This is the turning point for Malaysia. At least if I failed, I will have tried my best for Malaysia.

“Besides, I know myself. I know if I go, confirm (sic) I cannot focus on my studies because I will be worried about what’s taking place back home,” he said.

Syed Saddiq has also lodged a police report on his claims of threats and bribes after he revealed he would not be going to Oxford.- Mkini