THE participation of youth-based party Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) in the coming Johor elections is a major test for the party, P. Ramasamy said today.

The Penang deputy chief minister said success in the polls would make the party a forced to be reckoned with in national politics, and perhaps be invited into the Pakatan Harapan (PH) pact.

“However, if Muda does not make the mark in drawing young voters, it might be booted out or simply wither away from the ‘big tent’,” the DAP leader said, referring to the idea of a grand opposition coalition put forward by PH.

Ramasamy added that Muda also faces another challenge – not having enough time to explain to Malaysians what it stands for.

He said so far what was known about Muda was from “the excerpts of the speeches of party leaders such as Syed Saddiq (Syed Abdul Rahman)”.

“Time is not on Muda’s side, it must articulate and convince voters in Johor, especially the young ones, that voting for PH is voting for change for the well-being of all Malaysians,” he said.

He also said that PH would stand to make a difference in Johor politics if Muda delivers a huge chunk of votes from among the youth.

Muda is set to contest six of Johor’s 56 state seats, namely Tenang, Bukit Kepong, Parit Raja, Machap, Puteri Wangsa and Bukit Permai.

The seats were allotted to the young party by Amanah, which will field candidates in four seats, and DAP, two,  following negotiations.

Muda, which is not a member of PH but is collaborating with the pact, is also negotiating for seats with PKR, which has offered three to the fledgling party.

Muda has not yet decided to accept the PKR offer.

The party also faces severe backlash from PKR’s Youth wing.

A few PKR Youth leaders have pointed out several incidents showing that Muda was being arrogant in its approach in Johor, including criticising PKR’s state rep for Tiram and eyeing PKR’s sure-win seats despite not having any ground machinery.

The Johor elections on March 12 will see the first time 18-year-olds and previously unregistered voters cast a ballot, a situation which Muda believes it can take advantage of. – February 11, 2022.