THE Muda candidates who lost in the state elections are not giving up easily, promising to continue to be a third force for the people. 

Despite losing all 19 seats they contested in the six state elections and their deposits on Saturday, the candidates remained unfazed. 

They attributed their losses to voters who were looking at parties instead of candidates, limited campaigning time, and going up against big players such as Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN). 

Pantai Jerejak candidate in Penang, Priyankaa Loh Xiang Pin said she had tried her best. 

“To be honest, I tried my best, but the people chose otherwise. Some people said I’m too young. 

“I may be a local girl, but the people did not see me as a worthy candidate. The fight was actually between PH-BN and PN,” she told The Malaysian Insight. 

PH candidate Fahmi Zainol from PKR won the seat with 14,116 votes, followed by PN’s Oh Tong Keong from Gerakan with 5,519 votes. Loh secured 472 votes while Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s (PRM) Ravinder Singh received 76 votes. 

The 26-year-old teacher said many people told her that she was a young candidate. 

“A lot of people told me the same thing, that I’m young. But I told them if not now, then when?

“I told them that I’m still young and I have the energy to assist them if given the chance, but the people decided to vote for a big party. 

“They should instead look at people who can do work for them. We need the younger generation to take over,” she said. 

As for contesting again, Loh said she would think about it, preferring to fight again in Pantai Jerejak. 

“I was realistic about the polls but didn’t expect to lose this badly. I started with zero, but I’m glad that some people voted for me.” 

Loh said for now, she will continue to serve the party and get back to teaching her online classes.

Need for change 

Muda’s Kuala Kubu Bharu candidate Siva Prakash Ramasamy, 40, said he was not giving up easily and would continue to champion the need for change in the area. 

The businessman said he was planning to go into politics full-time.

“I’m dedicated to serving the people here. I will definitely contest again subject to the party’s decision. 

“The fact that I got more than 1,000 votes shows people recognised Muda.” 

In a four-cornered fight, PH’s Lee Kee Hiong won the seat with 14,862 votes while PN’s Harry Teoh garnered 10,743. Siva managed to garner 1,186 votes while Chng Boon Lai from PRM got 527 votes. 

Siva believed his defeat was due to people being more interested in voting for bigger parties than the quality of candidates. 

“People are still focusing on parties instead of individuals to serve them. 

“So, it will take time for people to accept supporting the right candidate who can do the job instead of looking at the party. 

“It (the defeat) doesn’t matter. I will continue to serve Kuala Kubu Bharu residents and no race will be left behind including the large number of Orang Asli here.” 

He also said there was a misconception that Muda was being controlled by Dr Mahathir Mohamad. 

“They were worried that Muda was driven by Tun (Dr Mahathir Mohamad) that resulted in a decline of votes for Muda.” 

In June, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman brushed off claims the party was linked to Dr Mahathir. 

Room to grow

Meanwhile, Bandar Utama candidate Abe Lim, 27, said after her loss, she would be taking a long break. 

“There will be a lot to look back on from the campaigning period, like what went right and wrong. 

“I have my company Purpose Plastics to go back to, and I have plans to make the business grow.” 

PH’s Jamaliah Jamaluddin retained her seat by winning 39,845 votes, followed by Nur Aliff Mohd Tafid from PN with 4,399 votes. Lim managed to get only 2,496 votes. 

Lim said the people had voted for stability and that was what the winning party could offer. 

“Muda headed into the state elections not to form a government but to be on the table to advocate for important policies.

“We need to be honest and acknowledge that the Bandar Utama seat was a PH stronghold and it was always an uphill battle. 

“But I was not afraid because there are real issues in Bandar Utama that need to be raised.” 

As a first-timer in the political scene, Lim said there was much to learn about being a politician. 

“I came into this as a person who identifies issues and implements long-term solutions. 

“But to be an assemblyman, I think one needs to be more than just a problem solver. I will need time to look deep into myself to see how I can be better. 

“Contesting in the Bandar Utama constituency was a new challenge for me. But I do not know if I will contest in future elections.” 

Lim said she would not give up on Muda because as a political party, it has room to improve and roots to develop. 

“We are for the people and we will continue to be a third force for the people,” she added. – August 15, 2023.