MUDA’s alliance with Warisan is aimed at strengthening the opposition as a whole, in preparation for the next general election, and should not be seen by Pakatan Harapan (PH) as a threat, the youth-based party’s strategy director Luqman Long said.

“Warisan going west (to the peninsula) and co-operation with Muda should be seen as a synergy for the opposition. It is not an agenda to divide.

“It is a new platform, an arena open to other opposition parties to join and sit at the same table to put us in a stronger position,” Luqman said in an interview.

His comments follow the launch of Sabah-based Warisan in Peninsular Malaysia on December 17, and the announcement by president Mohd Shafie Apdal that Warisan was officially working with Muda.

Muda, is led by Muar MP and former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

Previously with Bersatu, the 29-year-old politician was removed from the party after opposing the Sheraton Move, which toppled the PH government last year.

Despite aligning as opposition parties, Muda and Warisan are not part of PH, which comprises PKR, DAP and Amanah.

Luqman did not elaborate on plans to engage PH but hoped that it would see Warisan and Muda as allies. Another opposition party outside PH is Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Pejuang.

“Muda is ready for the opposition to sit at the discussion table. All of us together – Warisan, Muda, DAP, PKR, Amanah and Pejuang – that is more important than just Muda and Warisan alone.

“Muda and Warisan alone cannot go far,” Luqman added.

Banding together, he also said, is the only way all opposition parties have a chance when facing Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) in GE15.

He said the opposition must prevent a situation where BN and PN could combine their support to form the government.

“This would slay the opposition forever,” he said.

MOU for all opposition parties?

Luqman also proposed that all opposition parties sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will spell out their goals. This will ensure ties between PH and the other opposition parties are clear.

“It would be better to have an MOU, so that all the leaders and grassroots can understand the situation. We want the opposition to be united, not divided, or it will be very problematic.”

In response, Warisan Youth chief Mohd Azis Jamman said discussions with PH and other parties should be based on clear principles.

The Sepanggar MP said there should also be transparency because coming to the discussion table with “hidden intentions” will not yield good results.

This is even more important than an MOU, which can be signed without sincerity and honesty.

“We should not on one hand sign the MOU, then on the other have hidden intentions and disagree when we discuss things. In the end, the people will become confused,” Azis said.

For example, Azis said Warisan’s position on certain things is to reject them straight away.

“We need to be clear (from the start).”

However, Azis agreed with Luqman that Warisan and Muda will always be open for discussions with other opposition parties.

He added that Warisan is comfortable with Muda because Syed Saddiq supported racial and cultural diversity, in line with Warisan’s position of avoiding divisive politics.

“Something has to start. Consider this, spreading our wings (to the peninsula), as the start of something good for the country.

“It will take time, maybe five, six years from now, to get good results,” Azis added. – December 23, 2021.