Mahathir Mohammad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, announced the formation of a new party on Aug. 7, tentatively referred to as "Bebas (Free)".

He is joined by fellow exiles from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, the other party he set up after leaving UMNO, which include former Education Minister Maszlee Malik and his son Mukhriz Mahathir.

Mukhriz will serve as the new party's President, with Mahathir as the Chairman.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDlmAnLhrSo/

But among the group publicity photo, which featured the new party members wearing snazzy blue suits, there was a prominent name missing.

Where was Syed Saddiq, former Youth and Sports Minister, and noted supporter of Mahathir?

Syed Saddiq missing from Bebas publicity launch

Syed Saddiq was included in the group of five who were expelled from Bersatu on May 28.

In fact, all the other four members who were sacked were seen in Bebas's publicity photo, namely Mahathir, Mukhriz, Maszlee, and former Bersatu Supreme Council member Amiruddin Hamzah.

Syed Saddiq is the only one missing.

New youth-based political party?

Malaysiakini reported on Aug 9 that Syed Saddiq's silence is a hint that he may be thinking of starting a party or "movement" of his own, in time for Malaysia's next general election.

This movement will apparently be youth-based, but there is no indication that it will be part of Mahathir's new faction.

Malaysiakini quoted former Bersatu Youth exco member Ulyah Aqamah Husamudin, as saying:

"For now we are discussing and planning. What is confirmed is we will start a youth movement...Whether it translates to a party is yet to be confirmed because some other youth party members may also join the bandwagon."

Syed Saddiq attending mother's retirement ceremony

However, Marzuki Yahya, another member of Mahathir's new faction, had an explanation for Syed Saddiq's absence.

Quoted by Sinar Harian and reported by the Malay Mail, Marzuki explained that Syed Saddiq had sent advance notice that he would not be present for the launch as he would be attending his mother's retirement ceremony.

Syed Saddiq's mother worked as a teacher for 38 years.

On the day of the launch, Syed Saddiq put up a tribute to his mother on Facebook:

https://mothership.sg/2019/09/syed-saddiq-mahathir-najib/

Top image from Mahathir's Instagram and Syed Saddiq's Facebook page.