Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman marked his final run before his wedding by recording a personal best at the Asics Half Marathon, with his fiancée, actress and singer Bella Astillah, waiting for him at the finish line.
The 33-year-old politician took part in the half marathon in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 4, just days before he is scheduled to marry 32-year-old Bella. He completed the race in 1 hour and 38 minutes, setting a new personal best in the process.
Saddiq later shared a video of his race finish on social media, adding a playful touch by setting the footage to the chorus of Lady Gaga’s song “Telephone.”
In his post, Saddiq described the event as his “last run before the wedding” and thanked Bella for patiently waiting for him at the finish line. The post quickly drew reactions from followers who congratulated the couple as their wedding day approaches.
Bella was seen waiting at the finish line in a casual outfit of jeans and a cap as Saddiq completed the race. Her appearance added a personal moment to what was otherwise a competitive sporting event involving thousands of runners.
The couple are scheduled to solemnise their marriage on Oct. 10 at Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur. Their wedding preparations have received considerable attention in Malaysia, particularly because both Saddiq and Bella have established public profiles in politics and entertainment.
The upcoming ceremony follows their engagement earlier this year. Saddiq announced in March that Bella had accepted his proposal at Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, after which the couple held an engagement ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.
Their relationship had attracted public attention before the engagement was formally announced. The pair had previously appeared together in connection with a clothing brand and later became increasingly visible on each other’s social media accounts before confirming their relationship.
Saddiq has also spoken publicly about his relationship with Bella’s two children from her previous marriage. During their engagement celebrations, he said he accepted Bella together with her children, Ayden and Ara, and reportedly included savings accounts for the children among his engagement gifts.
The couple have also chosen to extend their wedding celebrations beyond the formal ceremony. They recently announced two public receptions under the theme “Kenduri Rakyat,” inviting members of the public to join the celebrations in Muar, Johor, and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
The first public reception is scheduled for Oct. 25 in Muar, while the second will take place in Kota Kinabalu on Oct. 31. The couple said the events are intended to have a communal “rewang” atmosphere, allowing members of the public to celebrate alongside them.
Saddiq said the public receptions came together in less than two months, with the couple working around their schedules and the challenge of securing suitable venues. He also suggested that attendance could be large, pointing to the number of people who have previously attended Hari Raya celebrations in Muar.
The receptions are planned on a first-come, first-served basis. Bella has also said the couple intends to prepare about 10,000 special souvenirs for guests across the two events, depending on what they can afford.
For Bella, the Kota Kinabalu celebration has particular significance because she was born in Sandakan, Sabah. She clarified that although some people had assumed the Sabah reception would be held in Sandakan, the event will instead take place in Kota Kinabalu.
The wedding preparations come as Saddiq continues his work as Muar’s elected representative while maintaining an active public profile. His participation in the half marathon offered a lighter moment ahead of the formal wedding celebrations.
His personal-best performance also gave the couple another occasion to share with followers. With Bella waiting at the finish line and the wedding only days away, Saddiq’s final race before marriage became both a sporting milestone and part of the build-up to the couple’s highly anticipated wedding.
