PETALING JAYA: Muda is embarking on a rejuvenation exercise following recent developments within the party, says Muda acting chief Amira Aisya Abd Aziz.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday (Nov 20), Amira said the party’s central executive committee (CEC) had met on Nov 17 to discuss its future direction after its co-founder Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman stepped down as the party’s chief following his graft conviction.
“Based on the decision of the CEC, Muda will embark on the rejuvenation agenda. immediately,” she said.
“The focus of the rejuvenation exercise will be in addressing internal matters over external issues,” added Amira Aisya.
Amira Aisya said this will include reviewing membership and the commitments of members and propelling the “Sekolah Muda” agenda.
While Muda is able to push the party elections to 2025 as stipulated by the Societies Act 1966, Amira said the decision to hold the elections next year was to enable the party leadership to receive a fresh mandate and open a new chapter.
“We will expedite our party elections,” she said; Muda's elections are expected to be held in the second half of 2024.
On questions on Muda’s survival following Syed Saddiq’s conviction, Amira Aisya said the party is “bigger” than just one person.
“Even before Syed Saddiq was convicted and stepped aside from being the President of the party, Muda has always been bigger than just Syed Saddiq himself,” she said.
“There have been a lot of other leaders beyond Syed Saddiq and myself, who carry this party forward,” added Amira Aisya.
She said that Muda is not just a movement of an individual but Muda is also a movement of ideology, policy and a movement that really wants to carry forward the spirit of young people in Malaysia across different races and religions to build the country.
“It is our responsibility that those comments are wrong and that Muda is bigger than just one person,” she added.
Amira Aisya then said that Muda remains as the third force in Malaysian politics, adding that this was the party’s stance even before Syed Saddiq’s conviction.
“Syed Saddiq will always meet up with the Muda leadership and policy team to ensure all agendas he raise in Parliament will represent Muda’s voice,” she said.
On Nov 9, Syed Saddiq, was found guilty and sentenced to seven years' jail, a RM10mil fine and two strokes of the cane for four charges of abetting in criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of funds and money laundering involving RM1.2mil by the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
However, the High Court here allowed his application to stay the execution of all sentences pending appeal.
High Court judge Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid also allowed the defence's request to maintain bail at RM330,000.
