PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Twenty-five-year-old Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman has become the youngest-ever minister in Malaysia.
The youngest of four children, the Johor-born Syed was sworn in on Monday (July 2) as the 18th Youth and Sports Minister under the new Pakatan Harapan government.
His predecessor Khairy Jamaluddin was the country's youngest minister when he was appointed to the Malaysian Cabinet at the age of 37 in 2013.
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 in the debating community before he entered politics.
He won Asia's Best Speaker award at the Asian British Parliamentary (ABP) Debating Championship three times.
His rise in the Malaysian political landscape came about after he won the Muar parliamentary constituency in the country's 14th General Election in May, beating Barisan Nasional's incumbent candidate Razali Ibrahim.
Datuk Seri Razali was also a former deputy youth and sports minister from 2009-2013.
Khairy congratulated the new minister on social media.
"Congrats to Syed Saddiq on his appointment as the new Youth and Sports Minister. I pray that you will bring more success to the country," he tweeted.
Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi, the chef de mission for Malaysian contingent to Asian Games and National Sports Institute chairman, said Syed Saddiq's youth would prove beneficial.
"I think it's the most appropriate choice bearing in mind his age and vitality. We look forward to working with Syed Saddiq and hope to get his full support especially with the Asian Games in Indonesia just over a month away."
Nabil Jeffri, a Malaysian driver who took part in 24 Hours Le Mans race last month, said: "He is young and will bring in new ideas for sure to the sports industry in Malaysia. I hope there will be more support for motorsports."
Top Malaysian shuttler Lee Chong Wei earlier said he was looking forward to the appointment of the new sports minister, whom he hopes will adopt a hands-on approach.
He said: "It is a breath of fresh air. As we know, former minister Khairy did a great job.
"Under Khairy, athletes who did well at the Rio Olympics in 2016 enjoyed great incentives.
"Malaysia also emerged as overall champions at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games last year, and we also produced a few world champions.
"I am sure the new minister will do a good job also," said Lee, who bagged his 12th Malaysia Open title on Sunday.
Steven Sim Chee Keong, 36, was sworn in on Monday (July 2) as the Deputy Sports Minister.
A total of 13 ministers and 23 deputy ministers were sworn in on Monday.
