Wan Fayhsal: Syed Saddiq has no right to speak as Bersatu Youth chief

A former aide to disputed Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has taken a swipe at the Muar MP's insistence to hold on to his party position after his membership status has been nullified.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (above), who is contesting for the post of Bersatu Youth chief at the party's inaugural polls, insisted that Syed Saddiq no longer has any right to represent the movement.

"This false impression is highly regrettable," said Wan Fayhsal, who referred to Syed Saddiq's statements made at a press conference yesterday that was called on behalf of Bersatu Youth.

"Syed Saddiq is free to move with any registered association of his choice.

"However, he has no right to use the name of Armada or Bersatu for any reason, particularly in his continuous attempts to interfere in party matters and make various claims," said Wan Fayhsal, who was formerly special officer to Syed Saddiq, who was the youth and sports minister in the former Pakatan Harapan government.

"I hope that Syed Saddiq and the central Armada (Bersatu Youth) leadership will stop issuing statements that conflict with the party's policies and decisions.

"Bersatu, as a political party, always strives to ensure harmony in the organisation and uphold its good name in the public's eye," Wan Fayhsal further said in a statement today.

At a press conference yesterday, Syed Saddiq (above) claimed that an Umno Supreme Council member, who is now a minister from Bersatu, had attempted to lure him to leave Bersatu prior to the 14th general election in 2018.

He also claimed that the minister had purportedly accused Muhyiddin of being a politician obsessed with becoming the prime minister.

Despite calls by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin for unity among members, the party remains split as a faction of members, including those in its Youth wing, continue to back the five leaders.

Wan Fayhsal claimed that the supporting voices were a minority faction and a larger group of grassroots Bersatu members have declared their support for Muhyiddin as president and acting chairperson of the party.

"All of Syed Saddiq's contributions to Armada and Bersatu are greatly appreciated.

"I wish him all the best and pray to Allah SWT for him to continue his excellent service, no matter which path he chooses, for the sake of the religion, the nation and the people," he added.

Syed Saddiq is among five Bersatu leaders, including former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and son, Mukhriz, who have rejected the party's insistence that their membership statuses were automatically nullified after they had sat on the opposition bench during the May 18 Dewan Rakyat sitting.

Mahathir, who is holding on to his disputed Bersatu chairperson position, appeared at the Bersatu headquarters last Friday, along with Syed Saddiq and the three others, and later declared his intention to sack Muhyiddin from the party. - Mkini