MUDA today announced Mutalib Uthman as its sixth parliamentary candidate in the upcoming general election.

Mutalib is one of Muda’s founding members and had previously caused controversy by announcing that he would contest in Tapah, Pahang.

The party today said that Mutalib is its parliamentary candidate for the Masjid Tanah seat in Malacca.

“We would like to announce our sixth parliamentary candidate for the general election. Our candidate for Masjid Tanah is Mutalib Uthman, the party said in a statement.

“Muda would like to express our appreciation to the opposition coalition for supporting Muda’s political commitment for the country.”

The other five candidates are Danial Abdul Majeed (Kepala Batas), Rahayu Baharin (Tanjong Karang), Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar), Lim Wei Jiet (Tanjung Piai), Shahrizal Denci (Kota Marudu).

Mutalib will go up against Bersatu’s Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, who was deputy law minister in the previous government. She won the Masjid Tanah federal constituency in the 2018 general election with a 8,159-vote majority against Pakatan Harapan’s Sabirin Ja’afar. She also won the seat in the 2013 national polls.

A former Puteri Umno chief, Mas Ermieyati left the Malay-based party in June 2018, a month after Pakatan Harapan (PH) won the 2018 election.

Last Monday, Mutalib apologised for claiming to be the party’s candidate for Tapah.

In a Facebook post, he said he was wrong for announcing his candidacy.

“I apologise for all mistakes that have occurred. Admitting fault and apologising are the traits of a brave person,” he said.

Mutalib added that he would still stand for election in the coming general election but did not say for which seat. – November 3, 2022.