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KUALA LUMPUR: The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Khairy Jamaluddin, today welcomed the youth party of Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, and said it is a sign of a good democratic system in the country.
Speaking on the sidelines of launching social impact equalization (SIM) grants to enable the recovery of social enterprises, Khairy said that the foundation of a democracy is healthy competition between parties, in which anyone can create a political party.
“We must welcome this.”
The former head of the Umno Youth said the young people wanted a party that could fully represent them and he hoped Saddiq’s party could do so.
The Rembau deputy also said the youth-focused party was a signal for other existing parties, including Umno, to evolve to meet the demands of the younger generation.
Yesterday, former Wanita Umno boss Rafidah Aziz called Syed Saddiq’s youth party an example of “divisive politics”, saying Malaysians were already divided on racial and religious grounds.
Former prime minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad also played down the prospects of the youth-focused party winning seats in the general election.
“In any constituency there will be old and young people. We (in Pejuang) will also attract young people. But if you only attract young people, it will be difficult for you to succeed, “he had said.
On the interruption of water services after the closure of the water treatment plants in Selangor due to contamination, Khairy recommended that the existing laws be revised.
“I think the existing laws for those who pollute are not enough. I hope that the corresponding ministry should discuss with the Cabinet to increase the punishment for those who pollute the water sources. This is a serious crime. “
He said that water samples had been collected from the polluted river for analysis and that further action would be taken against violators.
The SIM grant is an initiative under the government’s (Penjana) short-term economic recovery plan. Its objective is to support local social enterprises and other companies of social impact to maintain their initiatives and programs.
He said the grant is awarded through a one-to-one matching mechanism and will be available to eligible applicants with successful initiatives.
“Provides a minimum of RM5,000 and a maximum of RM500.00 matching grant per application.
“This grant will help rebuild the livelihoods of communities that have been affected by the pandemic,” he added.
