MUDA does not aspire to the role of kingmaker to determine the government of the day but would rather set the tone for policy reforms in the government, party president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said. 

He said only policy reforms would serve Malaysia and the people.

“We are here to be policymakers,” the Muar lawmaker told The Malaysian Insight in an exclusive interview. 

“It is not just about winning a small or big number of seats and becoming kingmaker. We care about changing policies. Win or lose, we will fight for a developed Malaysia, one in which we can celebrate diversity.”

Muda was in an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan (PH) last year but will stand solo for elections in Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu.

Syed Saddiq said Muda ended ties with PH because the coalition had backtracked on its reform pledges.

He said the party aims to be the alternative choice for voters as it seeks to establish a “new political culture” of reform. 

“New politics means we want reforms and changes in the policy structure, (such as for) education. It is not a matter of seats and power,” the former youth and sports minister said. 

“It also involves appointments in government-linked companies (GCLs) and state GLCs, which should go through a proper meritocratic process rather than giving them to people who are loyal to you. 

“If you appoint people who are loyal to you, in the end, it means sacrificing the whole institution which is taking care of billions of ringgit. Then it is a big problem. 

“The kind of concession Muda wants to get are policy concessions. I want wage transparency laws, I want a progressive wage model… these are the things that matter.

“I want to negotiate on the issue of education, on how we reform and restructure our education system.

“That is new politics. Not one in which we talk about personalities, seats, power. It should be about policies because policies change Malaysia.”

Syed Saddiq said Muda is not focusing only on the short-term agenda but looking at the long-term future of Malaysians. 

“We focus on policies, we focus on comparisons so that people know that this is what we bring to the table, this is what you get when you vote Muda. 

“This is to send a clear wake-up call, above and beyond that, a clear direction on how we can make Malaysia a developed country, a home for all Malaysians.”

Investing in the future

Being a multiracial, youth-centred party, Syed Saddiq said Muda caters to everyone regardless of race and religion.

“It is about investing in Malaysia’s future for the next 10 to 20 years. 

“We want to capture the support of all Malaysians regardless of race and religion, be they old or young. 

“I believe that Malaysia, which is destined to become a developed country, is one in which its citizens, regardless of the colour of their skin, share the same concerns and ideals,” he said. 

On whether Muda’s decision to go solo in the polls was “suicide”, Syed Saddiq said he will prove the critics wrong.  

“I respect certain criticisms and I will prove (myself) with action. People will panic if they only see Muda’s path ending in the state polls because we compete against two big political blocs, with large resources. 

“When Muda decided to enter the state elections, it was not just about the state elections. It is about our investment in Malaysia’s future.

“I admit that the road ahead will be tough and filled with problems and confrontations and we know that we are the underdog of underdogs. We don’t have control of any state government, media, (we don’t have) a lot of resources like other parties but we know our hearts are in the right place.

“We are willing to work hard for the next 10 to 20 years to make Malaysia a developed country, (one that is) governed with dignity and integrity. A country which all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion, will call this blessed land our home,” he said. 

Selangor, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu will vote on August 12. Nomination day is July 29.

A total of 245 seats will be contested in Terengganu (32), Kedah (36), Negri Sembilan (36), Penang (40), Kelantan (45), and Selangor (56). – July 16, 2023.