THE leaders of youth-based Muda, which was trounced in the state polls, will meet soon to discuss the party’s direction, said secretary-general Amir Hariri Abd Hadi.

“We will be discussing what’s next for Muda.

“We are looking to cover everything, including the relationship with Pakatan Harapan (PH), Lim Kit Siang’s proposal to be part of DAP, and more,” Amir told The Malaysian Insight.

In June, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said his party will enter the state polls under its own banner, claiming to be a “third force”.

All 19 Muda candidates, including Amir, suffered thumping defeats and lost their deposits at the elections

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), which partnered with Muda, also lost all seats it contested.

Muda had applied to join PH last year before the general election (GE).

Prior to the November 19 polls, PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim said it would be difficult to make Muda PH’s fifth component as it would require the Registrar of Societies’ approval.

PH then formed an electoral pact with Muda for the GE. In its first GE, Muda contested six parliamentary seats and won one – Muar – held by Syed Saddiq.

Upon winning the GE and forming the government, PH secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he was too busy with ministerial duties to review Muda’s application to join the pact.

Muda was left out of two unity government secretariat meetings, but was invited to attend the National Unity Government Convention in May.

PH has yet to decide on Muda’s application to be part of the bloc, despite the party’s continued requests for an answer.

Although Muda went solo in the state polls, it is still part of the unity government, which at present gives Anwar the supermajority backing of 148 MPs.

Recently, a PH leader called for Muda’s inclusion in the unity government to be reviewed after the party’s decision to go solo.

Muda’s candidacy in Sungai Kandis split the vote, handing Perikatan Nasional (PN) a narrow win over the PH candidate.

PN’s Wan Dzahanurin Ahmad secured 28,962 votes for a slim 167-vote majority over PH’s Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni. Muda’s candidate Afriena Shaqira gained 1,341 votes. – August 16, 2023.