I’m no party boy, says banned debater Syed Saddiq

(The Star) – Asia’s best debater, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (pic) has hit back at his critics for calling him a “clubbing/disco addict”, and vows to continue his struggle for the truth.

According to Syed Saddiq, some blogs had posted a picture of him dancing at a club in an apparent attempt to intimidate him into staying silent.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, the 23-year old student admitted that he was indeed the person captured in the picture and also said that he has been to discos in the past.

“I wont deny that,” said Syed Saddiq.

He also revealed that the picture was taken during the announcement for the knockout stages of the Asia level debate championship.

“I am not a flawless human being. I am also not a flawless Muslim. I, like every other human have made mistakes,” said Syed Saddiq.

He added that the past however did not define who he is now.

“Just ask my parents, my closest friends and my religious teachers; they know about me,” he said.

Syed Saddiq also said that he was in the process of improving himself to become better in the future and stressed that such threats would not break his spirit and stop him in his struggle.

“I am a 23-year old guy who loves my country. Threatening me with my personal life shows how desperate people can get to cling on to power,” he said.

“I will not stop fighting for the truth. Even at the expense of my own good name,” said Syed Saddiq.

Syed Saddiq, a three-time winner of the Asian British Parliamentary (ABP) Debating Championship’s Asia’s Best Speaker award, was one of the signatories of the citizen’s declaration that called for the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The declaration, initiated by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was signed by opposition leaders and political activists.