Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has announced that he will channel RM115,000 earned from his latest side job entirely towards helping residents in his constituency.
In a post shared on Facebook, the former Youth and Sports Minister revealed that the funds would be used to provide 1,000 food baskets and 30 laptops for individuals and families in need across Muar.
Syed Saddiq said the money was obtained through a new part-time project and would be directly donated to support community welfare initiatives.
“I got another side job and filming project. I will donate the entire RM115,000 to Muar. We will purchase 1,000 food baskets and 30 laptops,” he said.
The Muar lawmaker also shared images of items purchased through previous fundraising efforts and jokingly remarked that his side hustle continued even after spending the day attending parliamentary proceedings.
“From morning until evening in Parliament, and at night I continue with my part-time work,” he wrote.
The latest announcement comes amid growing public discussion about the role of social media, influencer culture and fundraising initiatives undertaken by elected representatives to support their constituencies.
Over the years, Syed Saddiq has gained attention for collaborating with celebrities, brands and content creators in various fundraising campaigns aimed at generating funds for community programmes in Muar.
His approach has often attracted both praise and criticism, with supporters applauding his creativity in raising funds while critics question the growing emphasis on personal branding in politics.
The issue was recently highlighted during a youth podcast session held at the Tunku Mahkota Ismail Youth Centre (TMIYC), where Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim was asked about politicians who focus heavily on social media and image-building.
Responding to the question, Tunku Ismail said he preferred leaders who carried out their responsibilities sincerely and prioritised public welfare over personal publicity.
He remarked that there were many “Hollywood” politicians and suggested that the most “Hollywood” among them was a politician from Muar, although he did not directly mention any individual’s name.
While the comment sparked discussion online, Syed Saddiq has continued promoting his fundraising initiatives, maintaining that the proceeds are used to assist residents and improve access to essential aid and educational resources.
The latest RM115,000 contribution is expected to benefit hundreds of families and students in Muar through food assistance and access to digital learning tools.
