In the often serious atmosphere at Dewan Rakyat, moments of levity are rare but cherished. An instance is yesterday (Tuesday, 4th March), when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim shared a light-hearted joke with Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman in the Parliament lobby about his rumoured relationship with actress-singer Bella Astillah.
In a viral video on Saddiq’s Instagram, the young politician can be seen gifting two pairs of ‘Baju Melayu’ from a local brand he endorses, in collaboration with Bella. One set is in blue, the PM’s preferred colour and a homage to his party, PKR, and another is in pink. Upon receiving the pink traditional wear, the finance minister jabbed, “Bella needs to be next to me, then I can wear it”, referring to the alleged couple’s photoshoot.
Saddiq, visibly amused, responded, “Don’t tease me like that, she’s mine…Give me a chance.” The back-and-forth banter between the two ministers continued as Anwar joked about whether any wedding plans were in motion, highlighting the lighthearted atmosphere beyond political discourse.
The exchange appeared to have stemmed from last week’s parliamentary session (Tuesday, 25th February), when the Prime Minister was seen teasing the Muar MP about his attire. “[Are you not] wearing a ‘Baju Melayu’ today? Not modelling today? What are you wearing today?” he asked, to which Saddiq responded with a laugh, “I’ll give [a new set] to you outside later”.
Netizens were quick to comment on the interaction, with most supporting Saddiq and Bella’s well-gossiped relationship. Others also complimented the Prime Minister’s down-to-earth personality, which presents values of humility between parliament members.
As these lighter moments circulate on social media, they humanise political figures, creating a sense of reliability and approachability. Such interactions offer a refreshing glimpse beyond parliamentary proceedings, serving as a reminder that humour and humanity endure beyond the tense atmosphere. They play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between leader and citizen
Watch the full videos here:
@syedsaitama Lain macam soalan daripada PMX masa sesi PMQT pagi ni 😳😅 #syedsaddiq #bellaastillah #pmx #parlimen #muar #fyp
♬ original sound – Syed Saddiq Fans (real.) – Syed Saddiq Fans (real.)
Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article.
