Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman became the youngest ever minister of Malaysia.
Syed, who will turn 26 on December 6, was sworn in because the 18th Minister of Youth and Sports on Monday.
The appointment of Syed as full minister in the brand new Pakatan Harapan government, the youngest of 4 children, born in Johor (Johor is a southern state of Malaysia), can also be historic in itself as he’s the youngest minister within the country’s history.
His predecessor Khairy Jamaluddin was the country’s youngest minister when he was appointed to the cupboard in 2013 on the age of 37.
Syed is a law graduate from the International Islamic University and recently turned down a second offer from Oxford University to pursue a master’s degree in public policy.
Tall and quick-witted, Syed was well-established within the debating community before entering the political arena, having won the Best Asian Orator award thrice on the Asian British Parliament (ABP) Debating Championships.
Top Malaysian shuttler Lee Chong Wei previously said he was looking forward to the appointment of a brand new sports minister, who he hopes will take a practical approach.
“It’s a breath of fresh air. As we all know, former Minister Khairy did a fantastic job.
“Under Khairy, athletes who performed well on the 2016 Rio Olympics enjoyed great encouragement.
“Malaysia also emerged as the general champion ultimately 12 months’s Kuala Lumpur Sea Games and we now have also produced several world champions.
“I’m sure the new minister will also do a good job,” said Chong Wei, who won his twelfth Malaysia Open title on Sunday.
Khairy also congratulated the brand new minister on social media.
“I congratulate Syed Saddiq on his appointment as the brand new Minister of Youth and Sports. I pray that he brings more success to the country,” he wrote on Twitter.
Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi, chief of mission of the Malaysian contingent on the Asian Games and president of the National Sports Institute, said Syed Saddiq’s youth would prove useful.
“I think this is the best choice, considering his age and vitality. We look forward to working with Syed Saddiq and hope to have his full support, especially at the Asian Games in Indonesia in just over a month.”
“He is young and will certainly bring latest ideas to the sports industry in Malaysia. I hope motorsport gets more support,” said Nabil Jeffri, a Malaysian driver who took part within the 24 Hours of Le Mans last month.
Steven Sim Chee Keong was also sworn in as deputy minister of sports.
On Monday, 13 ministers and 23 deputy ministers received letters of appointment from the Sultan of Malaysia, Muhammad V.
Source: The Jakarta Post
