YOUTH-BASED party Muda will commit to working with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the state polls even if its application to join the coalition is rejected, its secretary-general Amir Hariri Abd Hadi said.

He said the party would rather have an electoral pact with PH than Perikatan Nasional (PN). 

He added that the party was also going to contest in the state elections. 

“We are open to discussions with PH, either to be part of the coalition or as an electoral pact as in the last general election,” Amir told The Malaysian Insight.  

“As for now, there is no negotiation or discussion with PN. We are not keen on that idea because we hold different principles,” he said. 

On Monday, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman urged PH to make a quick decision on his party’s application to be part of the coalition.  

The Muar MP said the party had sent three letters enquiring about the status of its application to join PH, which it made before the last general election.  

Amir corroborated Syed Saddiq’s assertions about the letters sent to PH, and said they just wanted a decision on their application. 

“We have already sent three letters to PH. We have sent it to (PH secretary-general) Saifuddin Nasution Ismail by hand, by email, and even sent it via WhatsApp. We had also called them,” Amir said. 

“We just need PH to respond to our letters and to decide whether or not to accept Muda. 

“We are okay if they reject us, but we really need an answer for us to move forward,” he added. 

Saifuddin said yesterday he was preoccupied with ministerial duties, which he said was the reason for not reading Muda’s application letter.  

Prior to the November 19 polls, PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim said it would be difficult to bring Muda in as PH’s fifth component party as it would require the approval of the Registrar of Societies (ROS). 

Amir said there should be no reason for a delay, given that the PH chairman is now the prime minister. 

“Last time, the answer given by Anwar was that PH cannot accept Muda because of ROS and so on. 

“Now, he is the prime minister. They can decide to accept or reject Muda,” he added.  

Amir said regardless of the outcome, Muda would contest in the state elections.  

“Seats talks have already begun. We are eyeing a few seats, but it is subject to negotiation. 

“Right now, we are in the midst of preparations and later, we are going to organise Sidang Pilihanraya for Muda.” 

In its federal polls debut, Muda contested six parliamentary seats, winning one, which was secured by Muar incumbent Syed Saddiq.  

Despite being part of the unity government, Muda was not invited to the two secretariat meetings held so far. – March 23, 2023.