WINNING more than one parliamentary seat in tomorrow’s general election (GE) would already be an achievement for Muda, its election director Amira Aisyah said.

Although Muda has to go up against Barisan Nasional (BN) heavyweights in the six parliamentary seats it is contesting, the party’s deputy president is very much hopeful that it can cause an upset and win all seats.

“All the seats we got are not entirely easy seats, but they are seats where they have giants as incumbents and are BN strongholds.

“Either way, Muda is the party with least to lose. We entered the elections with just one parliamentary seat, which is Muar.

“At the end of the elections, if we go out with more than one seat is already more than an achievement for us, as we are a new party making its debut in GE15,” the Puteri Wangsa assemblyman told The Malaysian Insight.

Muda, which formed an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the GE, is up against those who have served as ministers and party leaders, and are big names in their respective parties.

Muda’s sole incumbent, Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, will be in a three-way battle for the Muar seat, where he will take on former Puteri Wangsa assemblyman Abdullah Husin of Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Mohd Helmy Abd Latif of BN.

The other candidates contesting for Muda are Lim Wei Jiet (Tanjung Piai, Johor), Mutalib Uthman (Masjid Tanah, Malacca), Siti Rohayu Bahrin (Tanjung Karang, Selangor), Danial Abdul Majeed (Kepala Batas, Penang), and Sharizal Denci (Kota Marudu, Sabah).

In Tanjung Piai, Lim is facing deputy caretaker plantation industries and commodities minister and MCA top man Wee Jeck Seng, as well as Najwah Halimah (PN).

In Masjid Tanah, Mutalib will face deputy caretaker law minister Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, Abdul Hakim Abdul Wahid (BN), and Handrawirawan Abu Bakar (Pejuang).

In Tanjung Karang, Siti Rohayu will face Habibah Mohd Yusof (BN), Azlan Sani Zawawi (Pejuang), Mohd Rosni Mastol (Independent), and Zulkafperi Hanafi (PN). Seat incumbent and Selangor BN chairman Noh Omar has been dropped.

In Kepala Batas, Danial is facing caretaker housing and local government minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Siti Mastura Mohamad (PN).

In Kota Marudu, Sharizal is up against Maximus Ongkili (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah), Mohd Azmi Zulkiflee (Pejuang), Norman Tulang (Independent), Jilid @ Zainuddin Kuminding (Warisan), and Wetrom Bahanda (Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat).

Amira hopes voters in the six constituencies would give Muda candidates a chance to be their mouthpiece in parliament.

“We have put forth our best candidates. We believe if they are given the chance and mandate to serve the people in their constituencies, they will give their very best.

“People like Syed Saddiq, Wei Jiet, Royahu, Mutalib, Danial and Sharizal have very good track records in their own fields.

“I hope the people of Muar, Tanjung Piai, Tanjung Karang, Masjid Tanah, Kepala Batas, and Kota Marudu give them a chance,” she said.

Muda’s chances

University Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia’s Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar said Muda might not have exclusive hold over young voters even though the party is very much youth-centred.

“Realistically, Muda may still hold a slight advantage in Muar because of (Syed Saddiq’s) incumbency, but even then, it’s not guaranteed, if the last Johor elections were anything to go by.

“Also, Muda’s experience in the Johor elections suggests that it does not have a monopoly over the youth’s support. While PH’s supporters will vote for Muda, it’s unclear if this would be enough to help Muda win,” he said.

Singapore Institute of International Affairs’ senior fellow Oh Ei Sun felt Muda could benefit from its partnership with PH.

Although the party does not appeal to voters of all age groups, he claimed Muda’s electoral pact could possibly draw more votes for the party.

“Muda, by itself, can hardly make significant inroads, as its youthful appeal cannot cover voters of all age groups in most constituencies.

“But when combined with PH or other progressive or reformist alliances, it could lean on their electoral support, while also lending them its more refreshing image to hopefully achieve a better electoral outcome,” he said.

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia predicted a good outcome for Muda in the GE, saying the youth-based party can secure at least two parliamentary seats.

He foresees Syed Saddiq winning back his Muar seat and Lim claiming the Tanjung Piai seat from BN incumbent Wee, citing youth votes as a major factor in those victories.

“Muda now has the advantage. This is because Muda is an ally of PH.

“PH supporters will support Muda’s candidates, and at present, the trend among young voters is to gravitate towards PH,” he said.

Malaysians will cast their votes tomorrow.

Most local pollsters have indicated that PH is leading the race to win the GE, but agree it would be difficult for the pact to form a government on its own. – November 18, 2022.