My principles more important than my career: Syed Saddiq

Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman insisted today that he will stand by his principles regardless of his political future.

"The main reason why I joined politics was to erase dirty politics. No matter what happens to my political career, I have to stand by my principles.

"No use joining politics and holding a high position if I forget my original intentions in politics," he said when met at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil. 

Syed Saddiq's remarks come on the back of a controversy which erupted following the Bersatu annual general assembly over the weekend.

At the AGM, he chided Federal Territories Bersatu representative Mohd Shahni Ismail for demanding government contracts and positions, and for claiming that he had been promised these by a minister.

Shortly after Syed Saddiq's speech, Bersatu vice-president Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman, in a veiled jab, said that the view that the party should avoid using government resources to retain power was "stupid."

However, Bersatu Youth leaders later came out to denounce Rashid and defend their chief's position.

Syed Saddiq said today that the Bersatu top leadership unanimously agreed with the Youth wing's stance that members should not use government resources for partisan purposes.

He pointed out that other than Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad – who issued a statement on the matter yesterday – president Muhyiddin Yassin and his deputy Mukhriz Mahathir also agreed with the position of the Youth wing.

"Mahathir had yesterday released a statement which was firm. At the same time, during a discussion this morning with Muhyiddin and Mukhriz, they, too, agreed with (Youth wing) Armada," he said.

New political culture

Mahathir had said Rashid's controversial statement did not represent Bersatu’s official stance.

“It was not a party decision, he gave his opinion and we are not keeping to it. We do not want to do what (former prime minister) Najib Abdul Razak did, giving (projects) to friends.

“We will consider all projects according to tenders, whoever is capable can submit their tender and if they can provide the best, then we will award them (the contract),” he was quoted saying last night.

Saddiq, the youth and sports minister, said the party's top leaders were on board with the Youth wing's desire to see a new political culture replacing the politics of patronage.

"We want a new political culture, with the politics of patronage coming to an end."

He added that while he respected the views of other Bersatu division leaders – some of whom were revealed to have discussed his ouster – he had to stick to his principles. -Mkini