FOUNDERS of Muda are split over how to launch the Pause Malaysia campaign calling for a ceasefire to politicking and instability during the Covid-19 pandemic, sources said.

The campaign, now largely misunderstood and labelled unrealistic, impractical, and worse, as playing into the hands of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, had demanded a stop to attempts to form a new parliamentary majority, no general election during the pandemic and bipartisanship to address the people’s welfare.

Sources told The Malaysian Insight some founder-leaders of the youth party felt launching the campaign now was premature and more time to flesh out ideas was needed.

“Muda was divided when it came to the campaign. Several people thought there should be a longer engagement process before announcing it.

“There were also some who thought it should grow organically instead of being a Muda initiative,” one source told The Malaysian Insight.

Despite not getting the committee’s approval, another source said party co-founder, Muar MP and former youth minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Muda’s most prominent face, pushed others to proceed with it.

“The campaign went ahead because at the end, the majority pushed for it. It wasn’t a collective decision,” another source said.

Pause Malaysia was unveiled on social media on October 7, and soon drew criticism for its impracticality, with questions as to its timing.

Its demand that there be no attempt to form a new parliamentary majority seemed at odds with public outcry for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation after the spike in Covid-19 cases and the government’s apparent missteps in handling the spread of infections, particularly during and after the Sabah elections on September 26.

These included lack of enforcement on social distancing during campaigns, and less stringent protocols for home and self-quarantine for those returning from the state, which only began the day after the elections.

Anger peaked after Muhyiddin’s live telecast on October 6, in which he said there were no double standards in enforcing quarantine, even for VIPs, among other remarks the public deemed insensitive.

This saw the hashtag #MuhyiddinOUT trending on Twitter, with more than 40,000 tweets.

One of the sources said Muda has to clarify the campaign to the public.

“We have to face this together and try explaining it to the people,” the source said, adding that communication of the initial announcement could have been better.

Syed Saddiq had said Muda initiated the campaign because Malaysians were getting tired of the politicking that has led to an infection spike after the Sabah elections.

“Malaysians are tired, tired of the political struggle, tired of the dirty politics,” he said.

But he has yet to respond directly to criticism about its impracticality, naiveté, and accusations that the campaign is playing into the hands of the PN government.

Political scientist Dr Bridget Welsh said by pushing for a ceasefire, Muda was indirectly supporting the PN government.

“Pause Malaysia is misnamed, as the reality of Covid-19, patronage and politicking will go on. Some parties are already preparing for elections or by-elections.

“Muda could be seen as, ironically, campaigning through this initiative. Pausing empowers those in power without solutions to problems,” she tweeted.

There were also critics who assumed Pause Malaysia was about preventing opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim from making any further moves after claiming he had the majority numbers to form a new government.

A day after the campaign was unveiled, Anwar said he had secured an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong next Tuesday and would present to the ruler the numbers he had obtained to form a new government.

Others, meanwhile, agreed with the spirit of Muda’s demands, even if the launch approach was rushed and explanations lacking.

Former Bersih 2.0 chairman and prominent lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan said all politicians should cooperate when it comes to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I agree. This does not mean I’m not angry or that I’m neutral or that I will ever stop fighting especially for the oppressed.

“The call I believe is for all leaders to cooperate in this crisis,” she said on Twitter.

A Muda co-founder, lawyer Lim Wei Jiet, acknowledged the campaign’s weakness and lack of clarity, saying it was never meant to stop the fight for greater accountability from the PN government.

However sincere Muda’s campaign may be, realpolitik has not earned the new kid on the opposition bloc any allies.

PKR youth leaders immediately launched a counter campaign on social media called Forward Malaysia, with the tagline “Because you can’t pause incompetence” to press for Muhyiddin’s resignation and support for Anwar’s bid to change the government.

PKR MPs such as Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Akmal Nasir are behind Forward Malaysia. – October 10, 2020.