MUDA must stand on its own efforts instead of riding on the coattails of others to achieve electoral success, a think tank said.

Iman Research programme director Badrul Hisham Ismail said the youth-based party should traverse its own “rough roads” towards victory.

He was commenting on Muda’s plan to join Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the general election. 

Badrul said such a move will bring short-term success but long-term problems for the newly formed party led by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. 

“(Joining PH) is the practical thing for Muda to do in order for the party to win seats. Muda is a very young party with no grassroots, no machinery and no base. It is a practical short-term solution but in the long run it is not good for the party,” said Badrul. 

“There is no shortcut to success. Once they start taking strength from PKR or DAP, for example, there will be conflict and disputes, which will lead to other problems.

“It took PKR years to form a solid base; DAP has had to fight all sorts of battles to become what it is today. Muda has to learn the hard way and stop daydreaming.” 

Muda has expressed willingness to hold talks with the PH leadership to become a formal coalition partner. 

Syed Saddiq said the proposal to join PH arose after the Johor elections, in which Muda had an understanding with DAP and Amanah not to split the vote but went up against PKR in some seats. It wrested the Puteri Wangsa seat from the latter, and it was the sole seat it won.

Badrul said Muda should not feel “entitled” to join the election, adding that the party should limit itself to an electoral pact with the opposition bloc.

He added that Muda should only stand in seats that it has confidence of winning instead of aiming too high.

“If it is confident of winning three seats then contest three seats. Don’t go for 15 seats you cannot guarantee you will win.

“It (Muda) shouldn’t feel entitled to join the election. At the end of the day, you serve your constituency. Having one strong seat is better than having 15 weak seats. The other parties have gone through a lot (to be where they are today) and Muda should also go through the same journey.”

PKR Youth chief Adam Adli Abdul Halim has indicated that Muda will not be easily accepted into the PH fold.

He said PH had many factors to consider before taking in Muda, including the views of the grassroots. 

“The decision rests with the PH presidential council headed by Anwar Ibrahim. 

Adam said PH had yet to talk to Muda about admission into the coalition. 

PH is made up of PKR, Amanah, DAP and United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation. 

Muda can benefit as Pakatan member

Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said Muda will benefit from membership in the coalition.

“Without joining the coalition, Muda will be fighting with PH over the same segment of voters. If Muda joins PH, it will benefit from it,” he said. 

“Muda is not able yet to win seats (on its own) but in Johor, it had an understanding with PH and that resulted in a win for it. 

“However, it is still unclear whether PH will get significant returns in support with Muda on board.”

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Mazlan Ali said Muda has no choice but to be part of the coalition if it hopes to win seats.

He said Muda shares PH’s principles and could win in urban and mixed areas.

“Muda is not much different from PH. Most of their ideas are the same. It can win in urban areas such as Damansara or Petaling Jaya.

“If it does not join PH, it will definitely lose its deposits. It has no track record and therefore cannot go solo,” he added.

Muda has worked with PH before, the two having reached an agreement in the Johor elections for Muda to contest seven of the state’s 56 seats. 

Muda secretary-general Amira Aisya Abd Aziz went on to win in Puteri Wangsa with a majority of 7,114 votes, seeing off five other candidates Ng Yew Aik (Barisan Nasional), Khairil Anwar Razali (Pejuang), Loh Kah Yong (Perikatan Nasional), Steven Choong (Parti Bangsa Malaysia), and Adzrin Adam (independent). 

Chief Syed Saddiq holds the Muar federal seat in Johor.

Muda aims to win 15 more parliamentary seats nationwide, including in Sabah and Sarawak. – September 16, 2022.