Syed Saddiq's Era FM stint called off, says scholarship pledge will proceed as planned
The move had been widely seen as an unconventional political outreach effort by the Muda founder, who was set to join Era's 3 Pagi Era morning show alongside Nabil Ahmad, Azad Jasmin and Radin.
In a statement today, Era FM said the agreement — already formalised — was now void, citing unspecified developments that altered the 'dynamics' of the planned partnership.
'The collaboration was forged in good faith, with mutual understanding and positivity. However, new developments beyond our control have led to a shift in the dynamics between Era and Syed Saddiq,' the statement read.
In response, Syed Saddiq said he respected the decision and appreciated the station's transparency, adding that Era and its parent company Astro would still honour the contractual payment.
He reiterated that 100 per cent of the funds would be channelled towards scholarships for 20 underprivileged students from his Muar constituency.
'I signed the contract last Thursday and had made it clear my salary would be fully donated as scholarships. The students had already been informed,' he said in a video posted online.
'My parents were meant to attend the announcement. Everything — from discussions to the contract and video shoot — was completed. Then yesterday, I was told the deal would not go through due to certain reasons.'
While he declined to specify what led to the cancellation, he hinted there was more to the story, saying: 'That's a tale for another day.'
Despite the setback, Syed Saddiq appeared unfazed, framing the incident within a larger message about resilience and faith.
'Am I sad? No. I believe when one door closes, ten more open,' he said, adding that he received offers totalling RM1.06 million on the same day he was informed the radio stint was cancelled.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Close to RM5bil in ‘wang ehsan' given to Terengganu and Kelantan, says PM
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the 'wang ehsan' was distributed to Terengganu and Kelantan despite no petroleum being 'won and saved' from the two states. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A total of RM4 billion in 'wang ehsan', or goodwill payment, has been distributed to Terengganu between 2023 and 2025, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said. Kelantan has received RM967 million, Anwar, who is also the finance minister said. These funds were meant to implement projects and programmes that benefit the people of the two states, he said, adding that the allocation was not distributed to other states. Anwar said this in a parliamentary reply to Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa), who wanted to know the status of the payment of petroleum royalties to the east coast states. He said the wang ehsan was distributed to Terengganu and Kelantan despite no petroleum being 'won and saved' from the two states. In March last year, Anwar said his administration allocated a total of RM1.55 billion for Terengganu's development last year, despite petroleum royalties amounting to only RM786 million. He said the development expenditure of the PAS-led state increased to RM1.59 billion this year. Anwar also said total petroleum royalties for Terengganu increased during his administration compared to when PAS and Bersatu were in the federal government, with only RM399 million recorded in 2022.


Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Agree among yourselves before talks on opposition funds, PN MPs told
PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin seen with representatives from the coalition. PN previously rejected a draft MoU from the government regarding allocations for its MPs. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : MPs from Perikatan Nasional (PN) must reach a consensus among themselves before entering into talks with the government on opposition allocations, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today. Speaking during Prime Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar said the government was open to discussions and had appointed deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof to negotiate with the opposition. 'But the opposition MPs must first come to an agreement among themselves. Right now, there isn't one. Some want it, some agree to negotiate, and some refuse,' he said in response to Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau), who had raised the matter. Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) however disagreed with Anwar's insistence that PN MPs first hold internal talks and said he was ready to meet Anwar directly. Anwar maintained that Fadillah would handle talks on allocations, but said he was open to meeting Hamzah if broader national issues were involved. 'I am willing to meet. But when it comes to allocations, I have delegated the matter to the second deputy prime minister. 'If it's about allocations, I leave it to him. If it's about other national issues, I have no objection to (the) meeting,' he said. The allocation of constituency funds to opposition MPs remains unresolved, with both sides yet to reach common ground. Anwar has agreed in principle to provide equal allocations to opposition MPs, similar to those received by government MPs, but the details require negotiation and discussion. PN previously rejected a draft memorandum of understanding from the government regarding allocations for its MPs. Fadillah meanwhile said the government had agreed to establish a committee to discuss proposals on allocations for opposition MPs.


Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
We need special provision for no-confidence vote, says Kiandee
Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee said Standing Orders 15 and 27 could hinder tabling a vote of no confidence because government business takes priority. PETALING JAYA : The Dewan Rakyat needs a specific provision in its standing orders to allow a vote of no confidence against the prime minister to be properly tabled and debated, says an opposition lawmaker. Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) argued that Standing Orders 15 and 27 could hinder tabling such motions because government business takes priority and the speaker has broad discretion in the matter. 'In the UK, New Zealand and even the Lok Sabha in India, there is a specific provision for a vote of confidence. Here, we don't have that,' he said in the Dewan Rakyat today, adding that any no-confidence vote should be by secret ballot so that MPs can vote freely. In India, for example, Rule 198 of the Lok Sabha Rules allows any MP to file a no-confidence motion. This must be supported by at least 50 members and is given priority for debate. By contrast, in Malaysia, any motion must go through Standing Order 27, but Standing Order 15 prioritises government business, effectively blocking debate unless the government allows it. 'This is the problem … There's no real avenue for a no-confidence vote to be debated unless the government allows it,' Kiandee said. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had on several occasions dared his rivals to table a parliamentary motion, saying he had already asked the Dewan Rakyat speaker to give priority to the motion if it was tabled. He repeated the challenge after opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin hinted at such a move during the Turun Anwar rally on July 26. The opposition bloc has consistently questioned Anwar's grip on the 222-seat Parliament since he became prime minister in November 2022. Hamzah also repeatedly threatened to file a no-confidence motion, saying it could happen 'any time: tomorrow, next week or next election'. 'Anti-hopping law being undermined' Kiandee also criticised the anti-hopping law after the Court of Appeal upheld Speaker Johari Abdul's decision not to vacate the seats of four Bersatu MPs who pledged support to Anwar. 'I want to ask: is this Parliament happy about what is happening here? We passed this law to prevent MPs from jumping (from one party to another). 'I want to ask the members here: is this what you wanted? If not, something must be done to fulfil the intention and spirit of the law.' Kiandee urged fellow MPs to support amending the anti-hopping legislation to close existing loopholes and make it enforceable in such situations. 'If this isn't what you want, then you must support efforts to improve this law. 'Otherwise, speaker, we might as well repeal it. Let everyone jump here and there. Let that happen if that's what we want. 'But if that's not what we want, then all of you must support strengthening this Act.'