Sabah Umno Youth information chief Naim Moktar told the media today that Sabah Umno is happy to support Syed Saddiq despite their political differences.

“I think whatever that is good must be supported without blind prejudice.

“This is what we are striving for and what we want to instill in our youths, namely not to let emotions rule our heads.”

Syed Saddiq has received criticisms for warning party members against seeking business contracts and positions. A high-ranking PPBM official even told FMT that a “loud minority” of division leaders in the party wanted him out for what he said.

The youth and sports minister, however, stood his ground on the issue, saying that his purpose of joining politics was to stop money politics and he vowed to maintain his principle on the matter.

As one of Sabah Umno Youth leaders, Naim said Syed Saddiq was holding a rational stand in fighting greedy elements and patronage politics.

“It is time to stop this political madness that aims only for monetary gains. There is no point in shouting ‘New Malaysia’ if the essence is still the same as before.”

Naim congratulated Syed Saddiq for speaking out against those who are still stuck with the old political mindset, even demanding for government projects to reward PPBM “fighters”.

Although Umno and PPBM are on different ships, Naim said the whole of Sabah Umno is rallying behind Syed Saddiq in his fight against kleptocracy.

Commenting on remarks by certain quarters that Sabah Umno was no different than PPBM or any party which practised patronage politics, Naim said currently Sabah Umno is led by a new generation of leaders such as himself.

“The new Sabah Umno will not tolerate patronage politics anymore. And we will speak out against anybody, even our former presidents,” he said.