KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 ― Young, eloquent and apparently much in demand, former champion debater Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman has a big dream ― to “save Malaysia” through political reform.

However, the 24-year-old who represented Malaysia and was crowned Asia’s best debater last year is in no hurry to join a political party to make his dream come true.

In an exclusive interview with Malay Mail Online this week, Syed Saddiq said political parties from both the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and the opposition made him offers to join them after his comments on social media started gaining traction.

“Every time, I have told them that this is not my time to be a partisanship [sic]. I shouldn't join any party or any fight. As of now I would like to focus on whoever and whichever party that can save Malaysia in the future,” he said.

However, Syed Saddiq said he was not beyond changing his mind in future, if the political parties made proper structural changes to their respective organisations.

“If in the future, structural changes are made to Umno, I would support Umno. If PKR or DAP continue the path pursuing for structural changes, I will join them.

“The point is, it is never good to sell your soul at a very young age. Especially when the scene in Malaysia is very very vague and unclear. Any party might fight for their own personal interest and not necessarily in line with the national interest,” he added.

The part-time lecturer at the International Islamic University Malaysia said he has conveyed his thoughts to the parties that have approached him.

“If you want me on board, in the next few years prove that you are up for the structural changes. You do not need to offer me anything, I will just join.

“It sounds very idealistic. Oddly enough, a lot of them have good manifestos, but the application of the manifestos are very vague,” he said.

Syed Saddiq hopes that Malaysia is able to reach a new era of political maturity, where the youth from a third collective standalone party to influence the political direction of the country.

“I think they know the importance of youth in the upcoming elections. But in the end, there is no sustainability in the movement. There is no strong youth lobby movement that collectivises the voices of the youth,” he said.

Syed Saddiq won accolades after being judged Asia’s Best Debater during the Asian British Parliamentary Debating Championship last October, together with fellow International Islamic University scholar from Bangladesh, Mubarrat Wassey.

Last month, he emceed a press conference on the controversial “Citizens’ Declaration” campaign led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad seeking the ouster of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.