MUDA wants opposition parties to unite ahead of the 15th general election if they harbour any hopes of taking Putrajaya, its information chief Luqman Long said.

Despite being a relative newcomer to the country’s political landscape, Luqman said Muda wants the opposition to move forward together.

“Muda believes the opposition cannot move alone if it wants to win Putrajaya,” said the 27-year-old lawyer.

To move as one, Luqman said opposition parties need to iron out differences and find middle ground.

“We don’t want it to reach a point where everyone picks their own paths and someone else reaps the benefits.”

Being one of the newest political parties to enter the stage, Muda is not yet part of Pakatan Harapan (PH), although the opposition bloc gave up several seats to the party in the Johor elections in March.

The opposition made history in the 2018 elections when it toppled Barisan Nasional after Bersatu joined PH. The victory was short-lived as Bersatu later pulled out of the PH government, causing its collapse in February 2020 through the Sheraton Move.

After that episode, Bersatu’s former chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad then formed another Malay conservative party called Pejuang and has now formed yet another “all-Malay” coalition to contest in the next election.

Meanwhile, Sabah-based opposition party Warisan has also decided to expand to Peninsular Malaysia by partnering with Muda.

The big question, said Luqman, is how the opposition intends to form an alliance as they do not necessarily share the same objectives and ideologies.

“Do we contest under one logo or fight under our respective coalitions and parties? In Malaysia, there isn’t a party with a parliamentary majority as yet,” said Luqman.

Luqman said Muda is prepared to be the bridge to connect all opposition parties.

“Muda is always communicating with the other opposition parties.”

As Muda is also a multiracial platform, Luqman said his party can open up new spaces and opportunities for younger voters yet to join any parties. – August 9, 2022.