BERSATU Youth chief and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman is slated to be appointed youth and sports minister in Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s new cabinet, said a Pakatan Harapan source.

The source told Malaysia Decides that the 26-year-old Syed Saddiq is seen as a serious contender for the role as he is capable of attracting support from the younger generation, matching Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin in terms of popularity.

“Syed Saddiq is a phenomenon for youth and can match Khairy’s popularity.

“As such, the prime minister has no issues with appointing Syed Saddiq, who was one of the Bersatu founders,” said the senior PH leader on condition of anonymity.

The former International Islamic University Malaysia part-time law lecturer contested in his first elections this year and managed to beat Umno’s three-term incumbent, Razali Ibrahim, and PAS’ Abdul Aziz Talib.

Despite declaring that he did not enter politics to get any position but to help youth, Syed Saddiq is said to be a serious contender for the youth and sports portfolio as Dr Mahathir is said to be less than impressed with the other young leaders in PH, said the source.

However, DAP elections strategist and Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming said on Twitter recently that while Syed Saddiq was charismatic, he is not ready for a ministerial role.

“He is charismatic, young, energetic, has many ideas and can adapt to youths very well.

“But it would be better if he started off as a deputy minister and learn from someone more experienced for the time being,” Ong said on Twitter.

He said PKR vice-president and Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar would make a better youth and sports minister.

“She can inspire younger women and those in sports.

“Although Malaysia has had a woman minister before (Azalina Othman Said), the country has had to live with her legacy,” said Ong, who did not elaborate.

Nurul Izzah’s father, Anwar Ibrahim, told Al-Jazeera news network that she will not take up any position in the new government’s cabinet.

The PKR adviser said the decision was made to avoid the perception that his family are running the government.

His wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, is the deputy prime minister and women and family development minister. – May 22, 2018.