Hisham: Syed Saddiq is a 'greenhorn kitten'

THURSDAY, JUNE 23 KUALA LUMPUR- Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein(pic) opens Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition at 1500 (0700 GMT); KUALA LUMPUR- Launch of PwC's Global Economic Crime Survey 2016 (Malaysia Report) at 1000 (0200 GMT); KUALA LUMPUR- International Trade and Industry Ministry Secretary-General Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria to deliver a lecture on "Free Trade Agreements and Economic Integration" at 1400 (0600 GMT)

MUAR: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Muar parliamentary candidate Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman has been described as a "greenhorn kitten" by Umno vice president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein (pic).

"He (Syed Saddiq) is just a kitten.

"He is an outsider that is bringing in national issues as he is clueless about local issues in Muar and has never been on the ground here," he said in his speech at a Umno gathering here on Monday (April 30).

Hishammuddin added that Syed Saddiq, 25, who is Pribumi youth chief, was targeting young voters as he was aware that he could not sway older voters.

He said that older voters here are aware of Barisan Nasional's long service and good track record in Muar.

"This greenhorn wants to play politics and teach us what to do in Muar.

"We will not allow this to happen," he added.

Later at a press conference, Hishammuddin said that Barisan must bring the truth down to the grassroots to counter the negative perception created by the Opposition on social media.

"Meeting voters is one thing but we must also do battle on social media.

"This is because social media may inaccurately paint a picture and perception," he added.

Hishammuddin noted that more "sensational" issues would crop up on social media as polling day on May 9 approaches.

"However, I believe we are in a better position in Barisan now as compared to the previous general election to counter such strategies and tactics," he added.

On Pribumi relying on personalities such as Syed Saddiq and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to sway voters in favour of the Opposition in Johor, Hishammuddin said this was unlikely.

He cited his own grandfather, the late Datuk Onn Jaafar and Tun Musa Hitam as examples of people Johoreans rejected after they left Umno.

Syed Saddiq is contesting against Barisan incumbent Datuk Seri Razali Ibrahim and Abdul Aziz Talib of PAS.

Muhyiddin, the Pagoh incumbent, will be facing a three-cornered fight against Barisan's Ismail Mohamed and PAS' Ahmad Nawfal Mahfodz.