SUNGKAI: Former Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman has hinted that he may not join the newly-formed Parti Pejuang Tanahair (Pejuang).
The Muar Member of Parliament said he will instead form a youth-centred multiracial movement to ensure that the group's voices and concerns are heard.
"First of all, no matter what happens, I still respect and back Tun Dr Mahathir, and that will never change. I know his party is on the right track and he is sincere in his struggle.
"At the same time, I still respect (Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) because he is the one who brought me into the political field and I will continue to support him.
"But I guess the time has come for other youth leaders who were with Bersatu before, who were axed or fired by the party, to be given another chance (through Pejuang)," he said after meeting members of the public at a restaurant here, today.
On Wednesday, Pejuang submitted an application to the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to register as a political party.
The seven founding members of Pejuang are Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, Datuk Marzuki Yahya, Dr Maszlee Malik, Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah, Datuk Dr Shahruddin Md Salleh and Datuk Mohamad Suhairi Rahmat.
Syed Saddiq believes there are a lot of young leaders out there, especially those who were axed from Bersatu, who could lead Pejuang.
"There are many of them who are better than me, such as Ustaz Abu Hafiz Salleh Hudin, (former) Bersatu supreme council member Ulya Aqamah Husamudin – and these people were sacked by the party (Bersatu).
"Even though I have yet to join the party (Pejuang) and am still an Independent, nevertheless, I still back the Opposition bloc. Pejuang and I are still family, but at the same time, there are many young leaders out there who should be given the opportunity to lead the party," he reiterated.
The former Sports and Youth Minister said his new multiracial movement will only be formed based on the majority voice of Malaysian youth.
"We shall wait for the announcement. When I first joined politics, I never sought power, but my focus is to make sure the voices of youth are heard.
"This is not about a party, but should it become necessary, we will have a youth-centred movement – but not youth exclusive. However, it depends on the majority voice. The answer is in the hands of Malaysian youths," he added.