YOUTH-BASED Muda and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) will not make an impact in the state elections as they have minimal influence on voters, political observers said.

They warned that Muda and PSM candidates will lose their deposits if they go up against candidates from Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional (PN).

The political pundits also said Muda and PSM will not be able to split votes.

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said voters in Selangor do not see Muda or PSM as reliable parties.

He said based on his research, voters in Selangor will pick candidates from either PH or PN.

“In a recent survey we conducted, most of the interviewees picked PH or PN. Very small percentage chose Muda,” he said.

“For the state polls, I don’t see how Muda or PSM can make any impact. They will lose their deposits.

“Voters don’t see what they are fighting for.”

Last week, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said Muda would contest in the six state elections – in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan – under its own banner, using its own strength to bring about a new political narrative to Malaysia.

PSM deputy chairman and election director S. Arutchelvan said the party planned to contest in limited seats in the polls, adding that PSM was ready to hold discussions with Muda over possible collaboration.

Political analyst Prof Mohd Atory Hussein said PSM and Muda cannot be dubbed as the third force as they do not have the capability to cause any upsets.

“They will get whacked, not going to get a seat. In this reality, it is only PH and PN. PSM and Muda are not the third force,” he said.

“Syed Saddiq should adhere to what Dr Mahathir Mohamad said, ‘join a coalition; if PH does not want you, to go PN. Going solo won’t get you anywhere’.”

Atory said it is better for Muda to stay patient.

“Youth have to learn to be patient. You can’t just jump up the ladder and be on top. Take it one day at a time. Your time will come,” he said.

Pacific Research Center of Malaysia principal adviser Oh Ei Sun said there will still be some degree of support for PSM or Muda, and this will likely come from PH detractors.

“In closely contested seats featuring PH versus PN, their electoral participation may have the effect of tilting the results in favour of PN,” Oh, who is also a senior fellow at Singapore Institute of International Affairs, said.

Multiculturalism versus ethno nationalism

Prof Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia said the battle between PH and PN is a fight between multiculturalism and nationalism and religion.

He said both Muda and PSM can only get the support of a small segment of voters.

“The urban voter in Selangor could choose Muda and the urban poor may opt for PSM, but if you go to rural areas, it is about nationalism and religion,” he said.

“Muda and PSM do not have the grassroots support, especially in Kedah, Kelantan or Terengganu.

“The voting pattern in Malaysia is based on multiculturalism against ethno nationalism. Muda and PSM will find it hard to fight against the two large coalitions,” he said. – July 4, 2023.