Tough for Syed Saddiq’s new movement to succeed by targeting only young people, says Dr Mahathir

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 3 — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad does not foresee a high success rate for his former protege Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s new youth-oriented movement.

Dr Mahathir, who recently founded a new party dubbed Pejuang, said that while youths made up a large part of the population, they did not form the majority of voters in any constituency.

“Although the youth is a very big portion of the electorate, it is not enough for the people just to win because they have the support of the youth,” he told a news conference at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here today.

He added that a political party needs to appeal broadly to all ages.

“In any constituency, there will be old people, there will be young people. We are going to appeal to the young people as well,” he said of Pejuang.

“If he appeals only to young people, it is difficult for him to succeed,” Dr Mahathir said, referring to Muar MP Syed Saddiq’s new youth movement formed after their departure from the ruling Bersatu.

However, Dr Mahathir said he has no problems with Syed Saddiq’s plans, especially if the new party rejects corruption.

He said Malaysia is a free country and Syed Saddiq is free “to do things on his own.”

“He used to be a strong supporter of Pakatan Harapan but now he feels he needs to break away from us,” said Dr Mahathir, adding that he is still on good terms with Syed Saddiq.

“We have no problem if the objective is to fight against corruption and things like that.”

In a forum on Tuesday, Syed Saddiq said a new youth movement, which has yet to be named, will unite the voices of the youth and ensure its leaders comprise those from an age group usually sidelined in traditional parties.

Members of the youth-based platform, dubbed “Muda Malaysia” for now, had their first meeting last week.

According to Malaysiakini, among the confirmed attendees were technocrats such as former Permodalan Nasional Berhad CEO Abdul Jalil Rasheed and startup founders Vinesh Sinha (FatHopes Energy), Liew Ooi Hann (RinggitPlus), Nadhir Shafiq (TheLorry) and Radzi Tajuddin (Hi Home).

Teacher Cheryl Ann Fernando of Adiwiraku film fame, lawyer Lim Wei Jiet, religious preacher PU Rahmat and self-described agriculture enthusiast Shahrizal Denci were also on the list as well as famed activists such as Syed Azmi and Liga Rakyat Demokratik’s founder Amir Abd Hadi.