MUDA’S inclusion in the unity government must be reviewed after the party went solo in the six state polls, a Pakatan Harapan source said.

While Muda has only one federal seat, it means the difference between a simple majority and a supermajority for PH-Barisan Nasional in the 222-seat parliament. The Anwar Ibrahim administration as it stands has the backing of 148 MPs, including the Muda lawmaker, which gives his unity government a two-thirds majority.

Meanwhile, Muda’s decision to stand on its own in the state elections, thereby splitting the votes, caused PH to lose at least one seat – Sungai Kandis –  in Selangor. The PH-BN was aiming for a two-thirds majority in the state that is traditionally a PKR and DAP stronghold.

The source from PH said the matter would be brought up at the next unity government secretariat meeting.

“This has to be discussed and (Muda’s) position in the unity government has to be given serious consideration,” the source said.

“They have caused problems in some of the seats contested by the unity coalition in the state polls.

“It is unhealthy to have this sort of partner in the unity government which does not want to work together but causes problems instead,” the source told The Malaysian Insight.

Muda’s candidacy in Sungai Kandis resulted in a three-way fight, handing Perikatan Nasional (PN) a win.

PN’s Wan Dzahanurin Ahmad secured 28,962 votes for a slim 167-vote majority over PH’s Zawali Mughni, who received 28,759 votes.

Muda’s candidate Afriena Shaqira gained 1,341 votes.

Farhan Iqbal, formerly an aide to Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman but now an assistant to Economy minister Mohd Rafizi Ramli also regretted that Muda had caused PH to lose a state seat in Selangor.

Muda was in an electoral pact with PH for the general election but decided to go solo in the state elections.

Syed Saddiq had denied that his party would split votes.

The Muar MP said Muda ended ties with PH because the coalition had backtracked on its reform pledges.

Muda lost all the seats it contested in the state polls. – August 13, 2023.