IT is up to Pakatan Harapan (PH) to decide if it still regards Muda a partner in the unity government, the youth party’s information chief Luqman Long said.

“Since day one, they (PH leaders) were the ones who made the decision for Muda,” the party’s co-founder told The Malaysian Insight in an exclusive interview.

“They were the ones who decided not to meet Muda, they decided that Muda should be on a tier lower than their components and other partners.

“If you ask me if Muda is still part of the unity government, I think the question should be redirected to the PH leadership.”

Last week, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman announced his party will contest in the state elections under its own banner.

Muda applied to join the coalition last year before the general election (GE). Prior to the November 19 polls, PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim said it would be difficult to bring Muda in as PH’s fifth component because it would require the Registrar of Societies’ approval.

PH then formed an electoral pact with Muda for the GE.

In its first GE, Muda contested six parliamentary seats and won one – Muar, whose incumbent was Syed Saddiq.

Upon winning the GE and forming the government, PH secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he was too busy with his ministerial duties to review Muda’s application to join the pact.

Muda was left out of two unity government secretariat meetings, but was invited to attend the National Unity Government Convention in May.

PH has yet to decide on Muda’s application to be part of the bloc, despite the party’s continued request for an answer.

Luqman said Muda has kept its promises to PH, made during the GE.

“Muda had fulfilled its GE15 promise, which was to form a government with PH and … to give our full support to Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister of Malaysia.

“Both have been fulfilled by Muda, and Muda has not (shown) any intention to backtrack on the promises,” Luqman said.

Regardless of the party’s position to go solo in the state polls, Luqman said Muda will not support any movement that would harm the federal government.

“We will not back any attempt to bring down the government through any backdoor channel.

“In GE15, we decided unanimously that we were going to form a government with PH and back Anwar as prime minister.

“Muda’s stand on these two matters remains,” he said. – July 7, 2023.