Syed Saddiq made sleepless by 'sensitive photos'

Parti Bumiputra Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman claims he was sent “sensitive photos of a threatening nature,” which were sent to him in an apparent bid to silence him.

In a press conference today, Syed Saddiq said he received the photographs at 1.30am, which kept him awake the whole night.

"Previously, the threat was sent to my father and elder brother. This time around, it is much more personal. It is directed against me.

"It is not a murder or assault threat, but is of a more personal nature," he said.

Syed Saddiq had lodged a police report at Subang district police headquarters at 11.30am today on the latest threat against him and members of his family, as well as on the RM5 million he was allegedly offered to leave the party.

He declined to provide further details on the source of the latest photographs, following the advice of the police.

When asked if the photographs were lewd in nature, he also refused to comment, and said he would leave the matter to the police to conduct further investigations.

However, he did reveal that he believed that the same people are behind the RM5 million bribe and subsequent threats.He drew the conclusion as the modus operandi was the same, where a threat was followed up with a bribe.

"If they think that this will silence me, they are wrong," he vowed.

Syed Saddiq, who recorded his statement for two hours, said he would be returning to the police station tonight to assist with the investigation.  

On Monday, Syed Saddiq claimed an individual linked to the Prime Minister's Department offered him RM5 million in cash and grants to set up debate schools nationwide if he were to quit Bersatu and accept the Oxford offer. 

Malaysiakini has attempted to contact the individual for comment.

Bersatu founding members Hamidah Osman and Kamarul Zaman Habibur Rahman, who have since quit the party, have lodged reports with the MACC and police respectively, against Syed Saddiq for alleging they too, were bribed. 

In responding, Syed Saddiq challenged his former colleagues to sue him in court for making such statement.

He also claimed that he was supposed to chair a press conference on Monday to read out a scripted speech to condemn the party leadership, particularly party chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad and deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir. 

"The focus of the press conference was for me to take the money and bow down to the threat, leave the party and Malaysia," he said.

The mastermind behind the press conference even barred him from picking up the telephone before the slated press conference, he alleged. - Mkini