Activist decries hypocrisy over Syed Saddiq's cameo in 'Katak'

 

The Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s cameo in the rapper Namewee’s latest music video Katak (Frogs) has drawn criticism.

Human rights activist Ng Yap Hwa noted that Syed Saddiq once welcomed political defectors into his former party, Bersatu, although he now supports the Anti-Hopping Bill.

He was referring to an old Twitter post where Syed Saddiq welcomed Jeli MP Mustapa Mohamed to the Bersatu “family” when the latter defected from Umno to Bersatu in October 2018.

Ng added the lawmaker also never objected to his former party when it accepted defections from Umno during Pakatan Harapan’s administration.

“Basically, he was never against the political frogs when he was with Bersatu, but now he cameos in a song that takes dig at the party hoppers. How ironic,” he told Malaysiakini.

Meanwhile, Ng also took aim at other politicians who have switched their stance on defections once their political fortunes have turned.

He said Harapan leaders had also accepted defectors from Umno when Harapan was in power, but now that it is in the opposition, the coalition has become the strongest critic against party hopping.

“We welcomed the Anti-Hopping Bill despite it not being perfect.

“But at the same time, we also need to review the acts of the politicians, especially when everyone is putting high hopes on the young generation like Syed Saddiq and Parti Muda.

“We cannot selectively ignore their controversial political actions in the past,” he added.

Ng also noted that Syed Saddiq is being featured in Namewee’s music video despite facing trial for four counts of criminal breach of trust and money laundering.

“What kind of message is he (Namewee) trying to tell?

“Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak is also facing corruption charges. Will Najib be featured in the music video too if he had the same political stance as Namewee?” asked Ng.

He also urged Syed Saddiq to take garden leave and withdraw from his current party post until his name is cleared by the court.

Malaysiakini has contacted Syed Saddiq and Namewee Studio Production for a response.

The music video for the song, Katak, premiered on Namewee’s Youtube account on August 12, and it also features local rap groups 5Forty2 and The Real Masta Clan.

Syed Saddiq is seen dancing along with Namewee and seven other performers.

In the video’s credit scene, the Muda president also gave a sarcastic speech about frogs being a national treasure in Malaysia while the performers stood behind him.

At the time of writing, the video has garnered over 1,300,000 views and 32,000 likes on Youtube. - Mkini