10-7-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) MUDA’s decision to contest the upcoming Malaysian state elections alone has shaken up the political landscape. While the youth-focused party had previously cooperated with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in recent polls, its president Syed Saddiq announced that MUDA will compete under its own banner on Aug 12.
According to Saddiq, the party has been ignored by PH leaders like Anwar Ibrahim. Indeed, PH’s secretary-general said in March that the coalition had been “too busy” to review MUDA’s application to join. Beyond this treatment, Saddiq argued that PH has made little progress on key campaign pledges like limiting the prime minister’s term and fighting corruption.
MUDA’s move has sparked mixed reactions. Some argue the party lacks the resources to go it alone while others say its ambitions need curbing, given its focus on younger voters. More suspicious observers claim it shows Saddiq still takes orders from former premier Mahathir Mohamad, who first appointed him as a minister.
MUDA’S METHODS
PH is clearly focused elsewhere. As members of the unity government, PH and Barisan Nasional are negotiating which seats each will contest, a complex process given UMNO’s weak 2018 performance and the practice of giving incumbents priority to defend their constituencies. Anwar’s PKR party will likely have to yield more seats to UMNO, leaving little room for MUDA.
PH figures also point out that its member parties already have youth wings and that MUDA’s brand revolves around Saddiq. They note the party’s emphasis on youth is a poor fit for Malaysia’s electoral system, which rewards targeting identity groups, and that Saddiq lost ground to PAS among young Malay voters in his own seat.
However, writing off MUDA may be premature. Saddiq is media-savvy with nearly 2 million Instagram followers, forcing even UMNO to field younger candidates. The party’s decision to go solo won comments from veteran politicians on opposite sides like Lim Kit Siang and Mahathir.
To expand beyond Saddiq, MUDA needs to field more candidates and give them chances to build records. The party is also consistent on issues like lowering the voting age and fighting corruption. Its performance matches PH parties, winning difficult seats like Puteri Wangsa by over 7,000 votes. Saddiq narrowly held his seat against experienced opponents.
Now free to pick its own seats, MUDA can leverage social media and craft a compelling message. It should contest a mix of PH and PN strongholds, aiming for states like Selangor and Terengganu. Focusing only on urban areas would undermine its claim as a national youth party.
While the split suits both, MUDA and PH may reunite after the polls. In Malaysia’s more open politics, parties often first contest separately then forge deals. Given their similar views, reconciliation is possible. And in an era of narrow wins, MUDA could still be kingmaker.
