YOUTH-BASED party Muda should allowed into Pakatan Harapan as an ally in the general election, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy said today.

The DAP leader said PH parties should not be too quick to dismiss the party led by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and its appeal to young voters.

“I personally think that Muda can be included in the electoral coalition in anticipation of the much-awaited GE15.

“At the principal level, if the party is against both Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional,  then there is nothing wrong in bringing it over to the side of the opposition,” said the DAP leader.

“Muda is a party of youth. Its leaders might have made mistakes in the past but senior and more experienced leaders in PH could guide them.

“Let PH give Muda a chance to show its mettle in GE15,” he said.

Muda president Syed Saddiq has indicated that his party was ready to join PH for the polls.

His overtures were met with a mixed response from the coalition members. 

The PKR youth wing is still smarting from Muda’s decision to run against Anwar Ibrahim’s party in the Johor polls, wresting one seat from the party in the process.

Muda had worked with the DAP and Amanah in the state elections.

Ramasamy said PKR could be the stumbling block preventing the coalition from cementing an electoral pact with Muda.

He said this is because PKR fears Muda could attract more Malay support, especially among the youth.

“But since this has been proven not to be true, some magnanimity might be required of the top PKR leadership.”

Ramasamy said it is simply practical for the coalition to have more rather than fewer members.