Young man trapped in the past, Zaid schools Syed Saddiq

Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman is a young man besotted with the antiquated political style of unquestionable authority, according to Zaid Ibrahim.

The former law minister said Malaysia, however, needs leaders who empathise and seek to understand the different fears of various communities.

“Leaders who think they know everything belong to the past. Syed Sadiq, unfortunately, is a fan of the past.

“Malaysia needs leaders with patience, who don't think that engaging with different groups is a waste of time,” he told Malaysiakini this afternoon.

Zaid was responding to the youth and sports minister describing those who threatened to have their children in vernacular schools skip classes in protest against Jawi lessons as “bodoh sombong (foolishly arrogant)."

In a Twitter post earlier, Zaid noted how Syed Saddiq, who is also the Youth chief of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's party Bersatu, appeared to be involved in numerous issues.

“Syed Sadiq is not in education, yet he is the Jawi man.

“He is not in transport, yet he is the voice of Gojek (for the motorcycle ride-sharing venture).

“He is not in religious affairs yet a defender of (Muslim preacher Dr) Zakir Naik. If that is not 'bodoh sombong', I don't know what is,” he said.

Over the weekend, Zaid also took a sarcastic swipe at Syed Saddiq after the latter hosted a dinner for Zakir.

“It is human to make a mistake, so forgive Zakir and a few million who voted Pakatan Harapan,” Zaid tweeted.

Syed Saddiq had initially called for the Indian-born preacher's deportation following his remarks about Hindu Malaysians and Chinese Malaysians.

However, in an Instagram post on his dinner with Zakir, the minister noted that the preacher has since apologised for his comments.

"No one in this world is free from making mistakes. Zakir has apologised. I myself have made many mistakes and am open-hearted when I am reprimanded.

"There's no need to beat on our chests and muddy the waters anymore. There's no need to insult and disparage. Let's move on, the country needs healing," he said. - Mkini