Syed Saddiq's stepchildren in pyjamas steal the show during dinner with Desmond Lee
Syed Saddiq's stepchildren greet Singapore minister Desmond Lee in pyjamas.
PHOTO: Facebook/Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman
PUBLISHED ONOctober 20, 2026 1:00 AMBYHelmy Sa'at
A relaxed dinner at the home of Malaysian politician Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman took an amusing turn when his two stepchildren welcomed Singapore Education Minister Desmond Lee in their pyjamas.
Syed Saddiq’s stepchildren, Mohamad Ayden Adrean Mohammad Aliff, nine, and Ara Adreanna Mohammad Aliff, six, were seen shaking hands with Lee before posing for a photograph with him in a video shared on Facebook on Friday (Oct 16).
Lee, dressed in a blue-and-white batik shirt, also brought a smile to the occasion when he shook hands with both children simultaneously using the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) handshake.
Towards the end of the video, Syed Saddiq is heard jokingly apologising that Ayden and Ara are dressed more casually than their guest, Lee.
According to the caption of Syed Saddiq's post, the dinner was held because Lee was unable to attend his wedding reception with Bella Astillah, which took place in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 18.
This will be followed by public receptions in Muar, Johor, on Oct 25, and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on Oct 31.
Their solemnisation ceremony was held on Oct 10.
MP Syed Saddiq said he had invited Lee to dinner with his family, jokingly describing their conversation about politics, education and family as a "bilateral meeting".
"For this 'bilateral meeting', I brought Malaysia's best assets: a very senior but young-at-heart teacher (my mother), as well as two young children who behave like adults — Ayden and Ara!" Syed Saddiq quipped.
Besides enjoying a relaxed evening with his family, Syed Saddiq said he also appreciated Lee's insights into Singapore's education system, which he believes Malaysia could learn from.
"Singapore has one of the best education systems in the world."
"Listening to him speak, I understand why.
"Malaysia has much to learn for the sake of our children's future," he said, thanking Lee for taking the time to spend an evening with his family.
[[nid:747288]]