AT 24, Syed Saddiq Syed Abd Rahman has already created for himself an image of a confident and ambitious politician unafraid of offending those in his way, or of crossing swords with his opponents.

It’s an image the youth leader of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) says he’s happy to embrace as he is clear on why he’s in politics. He wants to embolden youths to rise up and pull out all the stops to help the opposition win in the 14th general election (GE14).

“Now is a very crucial time for Malaysia. GE14 is the mother of all elections to determine what Malaysia is going to be in 20 years,” Syed told The Malaysian Insight.

A three-time winner of the Asian British Parliamentary (ABP) Debating Championship’s Asia Best Speaker award, the Royal Military College alumnus says his foray into politics was not something he initially planned on, but has become something he believes in passionately.

“When I first joined Bersatu, I never expected to play an important role. I was sure then that I wanted to focus on my studies instead of becoming a full-time politician,” Syed said.

However, he has since realised that entering politics is the only way change things.

His message to youths, and one which he is embracing himself, was controversial but necessary – put aside all other interests and get involved in the fight for a better Malaysia.

“This is the time to invest as much as possible in politics. And then once everything is settled, if we win, I will go study or do anything I want,” Syed said.

Syed said that youths in Malaysia were politically aware, even if they did not necessarily have in-depth knowledge about specific political issues.

“They know there has been misuse of power, and also they are aware of the issues within the opposition parties. They are very smart. We (opposition) need to reach out more to them,” he said.

Syed, who is one of Bersatu’s seven founders, said that the party is very determined to be a platform for youths to be participate in future policy-making.

He said that Armada, the party’s youth wing, makes up 55% of the total number of party members and that former prime minister and Bersatu chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad was fully supportive of all the youth programmes and activities organised by Armada.

Syed said he is hoping to contest in the coming elections and has his eyes set on his home town of Johor, traditionally an Umno-stronghold.

“I would want to compete in Johor, if possible, because that is my hometown. I know it would be difficult for me to win but I do not mind.”

His candour and straight-laced approach to life and politics has earned him fans as well as enemies early on in his political career.

Veteran politician Lim Kit Siang praised the newcomer, noting that Syed is responsible for the heightened fightback by Umno.

The DAP leader said Syed was responsible for pushing PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang and other state religious leaders to divert attention from the real issues brought up by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) by claiming it was “foreign intervention”.

Lim was referring to the US DoJ’s suit to seize US$540 million (RM2.3 billion) in assets believed to have been bought with stolen money from state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

From being barred to speak at four local universities, to being ridiculed as a “little boy” by Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz, Syed is unapologetic about his actions as he believes they reflect the urgency of the country’s current situation.

“If being outspoken makes me unpopular yet enables me to speak the truth, I think that is a cost worth taking.

“It is never easy to talk about unpopular issues. It is not easy but at least I know my conscience is clean. Even if I fail in the future, it does not matter, my conscience is clean.” – June 25, 2017.