PAKATAN Harapan’s (PH) failure to implement promised reforms was among the reasons Muda detached itself from the unity government and decided to go solo in the state elections, the youth-based party’s election director Luqman Long said.

Luqman said PH, which formed the government of the day with long-time nemesis Barisan Nasional (BN), did not put enough effort to bring about the reforms promised to voters prior and during the 15th general election (GE15).

“In the Johor elections and in GE15, Muda partnered PH because at the time we believed we shared similar beliefs, ideas and ideals on how to govern and rebuild Malaysia post-pandemic. That cooperation went well.

“Right after GE15, it was not the best or ideal situation, where no parties had the majority to form the government. So, we had to form the government with Umno/BN, which was okay then as long as we all fulfilled the reform agenda that was promised.

“But things turned sour. After more than six months, we realised that the reform agenda was not made a priority anymore by this government,” Luqman told The Malaysian Insight.

He said PH, who championed reform agendas while being in the opposition, flipped to the “old conventional ways of politicking” after assuming power at the federal level.

“This (unity) government, unfortunately, also practises a similar culture of political appointments as a reward,” Luqman said.

“On the reform agenda, they failed to reform the institutions. Previously we promised to reform the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), give more power to parliament as an institution to oversee MACC but this has not been happening.

“Despite the issues surrounding MACC chief Azam Baki his contract was extended.

“Even the scandal-ridden littoral combat ship (LCS) project, the current government led by PH has flipped its stand.

“Where is the reform? The government did not give enough attention and effort on reforms.”

Luqman, who is also Muda’s information chief, said he would not entirely discredit the current government on making progress but its abandoning the critical reform agenda is not tolerable.

Failure of young MPs

Luqman also lamented the failure of young members of parliament for being reticent and ignorant about the reform agenda that were promised to the voters during GE15.

He said the reform agenda should not only be the concern and priority of the prime minister and the cabinet, but also the young elected representatives.

“I’m particularly very disappointed with the young MPs in parliament – in PH, BN as well as Perikatan Nasional,” Luqman said.

“I believe the duty to fulfil reform must not be shouldered by a singular entity, which is the prime minister, or the cabinet members, to a certain extent.

“It must be portrayed by MPs in the Dewan Rakyat. I believe the young MPs out there are hiding behind the shadow of the PM. If there is any issue, leave it to the PM to respond, make statements.

“As young MPs, they should be vocal enough to speak up about issues that might not be popular among their party members but are necessary for the reform agenda.

“Take the LCS as an example. We pushed for all the MPs in Dewan Rakyat to start discussing and debating the LCS issue.

“We need to know what happened between 2011 and 2022. What happened to the RM6 billion spent. And why despite spending RM6 billion, the previous government did not deliver a single vessel and then the current government decided to give more funding, increasing the cost from RM9 billion to RM11.2 billion.

“All these need answers. This must be discussed not just by the PM or defence minister but by the MPs,” he added.

Luqman said the lackadaisical attitude shown prompted Muda to depart from the unity government in state elections.

“That pushes my resolve to go on our own, believing we can do better and be better.

“We believe Muda must provide a better alternative for the people,” he said.

Last week, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman announced that the youth-based party will contest the state elections under its own banner.

PH had also been silent on Muda’s application to join the coalition which it submitted in November last year. – July 5, 2023.