The Malaysian Insight

HAVING been exposed to Malaysian politics from the age of 14 has left a lasting mark on Syed Badli Shah Syed Osman, one of PKR’s fast-rising young leaders who remains unbending in his hopes that the opposition will one day take over the federal government.

But to achieve this, said Syed Badli, opposition party members and supporters must be prepared to sacrifice self-gain for the greater good, especially when it comes to candidacy in the 14th general election.

“If you are loyal to the party, even a decision to put a cat as a candidate should be accepted. Because this is the decision that was made,” Syed Badli told The Malaysian Insight.

“It has been discussed for a long time, for sure the leadership has taken in many views. A concrete decision still has to be made. In politics, one cannot please everybody.”

Syed Badli, 33, is the secretary of Angkatan Muda Keadilan Selangor and is one of a few young faces in PKR rumoured to be named as a candidate in GE14 to stand against Titiwangsa MP Johari Abdul Ghani.

However, sources have told The Malaysian Insight that the seat is likely to fall to Bersatu and will be contested by former Ideas director Wan Saiful Wan Jan.

Earlier this month, PKR Beruas threatened to boycott PH if the Pengkalan Baharu state seat in Perak is handed over to the Bersatu candidate for GE14.

Syed Badli urged politicians in the opposition pact to put the greater good above their own ambitions, and to trust the directives given by their leaders.

“I don’t lobby for seats. I am always fighting for the organisation. If I get to stand, it means I carry the name of Pakatan-PKR. If I’m not a candidate, that’s ok, I will help where I can.

“For example, if the Titiwangsa seat is given to our partners Bersatu, I will help there because that’s what we have to do to support our organisation. We shouldn’t throw a tantrum because somebody else is chosen as a candidate.”

Reformasi child

Syed Badli was a teenager when the Reformasi movement was sparked in 1998, following the sacking and jailing of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

He said Anwar has, and still is, his political idol and a leader who will fight for the rights of the people.

This respect he still holds for Anwar motivated him to continue supporting the jailed leader’s party PKR, even throughout its many ups and downs.

“Anwar is my main inspiration to fight for truth and justice. Watching the people rise up has taught me the meaning of a government, which is one that is chosen by the people and a government cannot suppress the rights of the people.”

He said that when Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was once Anwar’s nemesis, was named chairman of Pakatan Harapan and later, as the coalition’s prime minister candidate, he was initially angry.

“If you want to talk about anger, I’m the one who should be very angry because I was one of those who experienced the 1998 Reformasi. My own house was renovated so that we could hide reformists in my home.”

However, once the leadership made the announcement of Dr Mahathir’s position, Syed Badli said he accepted it and continued to support the coalition.

He said he now wants to look ahead to how the opposition pact can work together to achieve its goal of toppling the government. – March 29, 2018.