DO not join forces or collaborate with Pakatan Harapan with the objective of keeping the Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and Perikatan National (PN) from governing the country.

Join forces only if policies and strategies are for the development and wellbeing of the nation, not simply as a spoiler to stop the ruling coalition from retaining power.

The rakyat will support any party or coalition that proposes good, deliverable policies, not those for narrow interests.

Lies and “over the moon” promises will not attract voters to you.

For PH, it should not be a revelation that they have been struggling to attract members, particularly younger citizens.

The coalition rarely attempts to engage young people, or consider issues of youth citizenship or political participation.

Conversely, young people have increasingly viewed these parties as remote, infantile and divisive in their approach to public debate and policy formulation, and embarrassing in their occasional attempts to appeal to young.

Furthermore, young people have complained that their interests are often overlooked by all the existing political parties, both in terms of policy formation and electoral campaigning.

Muda should use this coming general election to learn as much as possible about, campaigning and canvassing for votes, plus how to build, maintain and sustain a network of volunteers nationwide for the next five years.

This will be effectively helping people genuinely interested in public service, while building a support base within the constituencies.

Do not expect PH to offer any seats for your party to contest under their banner.

This shall be the fundamental basis that the Muda leadership should explain to all its aspiring candidates hoping to contest in the general election under the PH banner, assuming that Muda is accepted into the coalition.

Yes, you are a new party and have been making yourself visible across the young or new voters, but visibility does not translate into stickiness.

Your party’s presence generally is still confined to urban voters.

As witnessed in the past three general elections, urban voters generally will vote for PH candidates.

The majority of those vying to be PH nominees would have already made their presence felt in their constituencies.

They will not welcome a rival from Muda taking over or be responsive to assisting in any way.

Thus, if Muda is humble enough, it should use this opportunity to learn the ropes and build its own core network of sustainable supporters.

A check with sentiments on the ground will reveal that voters in some constituencies represented by parties from PH are not happy with their representatives, some of which are underperforming, specifically in constituencies where they have served for more than two terms.

Their continued re-election does not necessarily mean their voters are well served by these representatives.

They get re-elected because the voters can only choose between pro- and anti-establishment candidates.

Yes, Muda can always argue a candidate from their party will offer a fresh alternative to these jaded voters.

In a perfect world, this argument holds, but not in reality.

No one wants to give up the power they wield, even if their party is not the government.

Everyone will claim he or she is the better option, be it candidates from PH or Muda.

If a candidate does give way, it is due to pressure from party leaders not a sense of duty.

Under such circumstances, do you really expect these people to be a team player?

Until Muda can demonstrate it doesn’t need PH’s infrastructure, no PH candidate will step aside.

If Muda can show it has the support, then it will be the PH leadership inviting the youth party to join. – September 13, 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.