THE start and development of the political lifecycle, where candidacies are conceived, launched and formed, set the parameters for everything that follows – from general elections to governing – for decades to come.

Political parties and bosses have always understood the importance of the candidate pipeline and sought to regulate it, carefully screening entrants for loyalty, electability and political skill.

They do not only train and recruit politicians, but also nominate those able to participate in polls. By controlling the entry to the political arena, they effectively define the set of politicians from which voters can choose.

In this country, parties adopt a particular nomination method – one not restricted to just the candidate’s ability to win and fitness to serve, and their power to cultivate the grassroots, but more importantly, their allegiance to the parties’ “warlords”: those who have an established network within the party and strong influence over who will ultimately serve.

Muda may not have warlords yet as it is a new party, but warlords will emerge as they are an essential part of any political structure – when the youth-based party gains further traction with Millennial and Gen Z voters.

It should practice a disruptive mind-set consistent with its platform; introduce a new and refreshing model that not only sustains existing candidates, but also encourages newcomers to contest in their choice of constituencies in future elections.

Instead of following the traditional role of existing political parties of being gatekeepers for candidate pipelines, the selection of candidates will be a hybrid system. Initial candidates will come from within a party, second candidates will come from public advocacy groups and third will come from self-recruitment i.e. non-members who wish to contest under the party’s banner.

Creating a new pathway for candidacy will reduce the gatekeeping role of the party and dilute future warlords and their influence on the selection of candidates.

Healthy politics requires Muda to play a vigorous role alongside, not instead of, activists and voters in “sending” competent candidates.

Connect these potential candidates with institutes that provide policy training. If no such institute is available or training them proves expensive, connect them with mentors, ex-civil servants or retired politicians who will help guide and teach them for free.

Muda should break away from tradition and announce that it is willing to support inexperienced and unconventional candidates—but not just anyone.

Potential candidates must be required to set up an online fundraising page, with each required to raise RM50,000 from at least 1,000 voters in the constituency of their choosing.

Each candidate has to submit his or her plan for the next five years on what they propose to do for the constituency and its voters, how they propose to achieve those plans and the timeline for each plan.

Should there be more than one candidate for a particular constituency, and to ensure transparency in the selection process, it must be made known to the candidates that the one who raised the most money and has a more achievable five-year plan will be selected.

As Muda is not a well-funded party, this is its only option. At least candidates will get a hold of enough funds to put up for their deposit.

To adhere to the Election Commission’s legal framework, candidates must accept donations of a certain value from a permissible source, not cash. If a donation is not from a permissible source, it must be returned within 30 days.

The introduction of this method will not only reduce politicking and sabotaging during the candidate selection process, but also allows candidates to compete and showcase their abilities to lead and manage as they compete against candidates from other parties.

Muda can be the change and lead the change in the practice of politics in the country. If it succeeds in bringing this change, the effects can be far-reaching. – March 27, 2022.

* FLK reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.