Bold decision: Syed Saddiq says Muda wants to be a ‘bigger check and balance’ to the federal administration. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Despite the high likelihood of losing all its contests, Muda is determined to go it alone in the upcoming state elections as the party feels it’s a viable alternative to the ruling unity government alliance, say analysts.
Muda’s leaders said they want to be a “bigger check and balance” to the federal administration which it claims had backslided on institutional reforms that had been promised by its main coalition Pakatan Harapan.
Analysts, meanwhile, said besides losing in its contests, Muda could indirectly aid the Opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional by taking away votes that would have gone to Pakatan.
“In competitive seats, it might make a difference as Perikatan Nasional would benefit from the vote split between Muda and Pakatan-Barisan Nasional,” said Universiti Sains Malaysia senior lecturer Dr Azmil Mohd Tayeb.
Muda could siphon votes from disgruntled Pakatan supporters, particularly PKR, who are upset over the coalition’s cooperation with Umno after the last general election, said Azmil.
Pakatan, which campaigned with Muda in the 15th General Election (GE15), was forced to cooperate with long-time rivals Barisan to form the unity government as no coalition won a majority of seats in the Dewan Rakyat. Malay party Umno is the lynchpin of Barisan.
On Tuesday, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman had said the decision to contest solo in the state polls was to be “the voice of conscience of the people”.
It was previously reported that Muda did not receive a response over its application to join Pakatan, which already comprises PKR, DAP and Amanah.
In GE15 and the Johor state polls in 2022, Muda had contested in an electoral pact with Pakatan.
If a similar pact is not forged this time, Muda may end up facing both Pakatan-Barisan and Perikatan who are contesting all 245 seats that are up for grabs in the state polls.
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s political science expert Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said Muda lacks the grassroots machinery to win seats.
In the Johor state election of March 2022, the party won one out of seven seats it contested but even then it was in an electoral pact with Pakatan.
“Muda is relying only on Syed Saddiq. Going into an election, you need the machinery and finances,” Sivamurugan added.
Rather than winning in the coming polls, Sivamurugan said that Muda’s decision is to send a message to Pakatan over its unhappiness at being sidelined.
In a statement, Syed Saddiq said the party is prepared to weather criticism against it and the prospect of total defeat.
“The road ahead will be tough for Muda but we will tough it out. To change Malaysia, we will need to learn from many defeats,” Syed Saddiq said, adding that it will work with Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM).
The Muar MP believes that the party can distinguish itself from Pakatan-Barisan and Perikatan and appeal to moderate voters.
State elections for Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu are expected to be held in early August.
