KUALA LUMPUR – The ice bucket challenge is the inspiration behind Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s pledge to go bald in his #BotakChallenge.
The independent lawmaker told The Vibes that he and his team have always believed that having fun in fundraising activities will get more people to participate in the programme and ensure its success.
In a post on Twitter today, Syed Saddiq announced that he will shave his head if he can raise RM200,000 to buy laptops for impoverished families in his constituency.
“We always want to spice things up. Make things more fun and let people participate in the fundraising programme.
“We have plenty of ideas – having a public auction of my personal and cherished belongings, getting corporate partners to join us, and more.
“But we are also inspired by the ice bucket challenge that promoted awareness of the ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) disease. Who says doing fundraising cannot be fun?”
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative neuromuscular disease that results in the progressive loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles.
The ice bucket challenge first went viral from July to August in 2014, but only really caught on in Malaysia in 2018 – Syed Saddiq also published a photo on his Instagram account of himself shivering in a bathtub full of ice.
With the #BotakChallenge, he plans to obtain around 100 laptops priced at RM2,000 each for some of his impoverished constituents.
“Our Parliament office has always kept the database of all families in Muar. This database will let us make informed decisions in helping those in need. We are also calling for those who need laptops to apply directly through our Parliament office.
“All Muar university students with a household income less than RM1,500 is eligible to apply for this programme,” said Syed Saddiq, who had previously aided 120 students in getting laptops.
He said his team prefers to get “modest, midrange” laptops from Asus, Acer and HP, but will not turn down other brands.
His team also received a number of second-hand laptops that were refurbished before handing them over to the students.
When asked on the public perception that he might be pulling a cheap publicity stunt, with conduct unbecoming of an MP, Syed Saddiq said his intention is to help those in need, no matter what.
“My objective is clear. I want to help those in need in any way I can, including promoting it by shaving my head. I hope that this will encourage more people to help and raise the money needed.”
Earlier today, the MP had announced the #BotakChallenge for his “1 Family, 1 Laptop” programme on his Twitter account.
“If I can reach my target to raise funds for 1 Family, 1 Laptop for the people of Muar, I will shave my head bald. #BotakChallenge for the people of Muar,” he said in a TikTok video that was shared on his Twitter account.
He added that previously it was easy for him to raise funds while he was in the federal government.
However, since he was booted from office after the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan administration in February, Syed Saddiq said funds for his constituency have been stripped and he finds it challenging to raise funds to serve his constituents. – The Vibes, December 26, 2020
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