State polls: Muda going solo is final

 

Muda's decision to contest on its own in the upcoming six state elections was to defend its principles and is final, said its deputy president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz.

According to Amira, the party had also received an invitation from another party to work together in the state polls.

Still, she said they were unwilling to sacrifice the ideals that built Muda.

"It is clear that our decision to go into the state elections solo was not because we did not have any offer (from Pakatan Harapan).

"While it (offer) was one of the considerations, at the same time, we now have many differences with Harapan and BN.

"So for this upcoming state elections, our decision to contest on our own is final.

“We also hope with this decision, we can send a clear message especially to Harapan and BN, that they should keep promises that they made to the rakyat during the last general election," she said.

Amira, a member of the Johor state assembly, spoke to reporters after attending a Muda fundraiser in Bangsar for the upcoming election.

She also denied an accusation by PKR activist Yuslaini Azmi, who, in a statement recently, called Muda, a party that constantly changes its principles.

Different path

According to Amira, Muda does not make decisions for position and power.

"Since the beginning, Muda has fought for multiracialism, reform, and against corruption and abuse of power.

"And based on these principles, we decided to go solo in the state elections because we realised that what we stand for is no longer in line with Harapan and BN.

"We cannot put our principles only based on position. If we have to go a different path to defend what we stand for, we will do that and that is what we are doing right now," she said.

Amira added that Muda will not change its decision to go solo in the state polls, even if Harapan changes its mind and offers to cooperate.

She said while Harapan had refused to negotiate with Muda, the party had other offers, but still, they decided to contest on their own.

"It does not matter what kind of offer they make, if it means we have to betray our principles, then Muda will not accept such an offer."

Asked which other party had extended its hand to work with Muda, the party deputy president declined to reveal, saying "faham-faham la" (I think you can guess).

'10-15 percent of seats'

Meanwhile, Muda election director Luqman Long said the party aims to contest at least 10 to 15 percent of the total 245 seats in the state polls.

In total, the state polls will see contests in 245 state seats: Selangor (56), Kedah (36), Penang (40), Kelantan (45), Terengganu (32), and Negeri Sembilan (36).

According to Luqman, the percentage will differ between states, depending on the party's capacity and its candidates.

"This decision was made because we do not want to be a party that contests just for the sake of doing it.

"We do not want to be a party that sends candidates just to show our presence. We want to send candidates who really have the quality," he said.

Luqman told reporters that Muda expects to announce its manifesto and the first batch of candidates in the coming week. - Mkini