Muda must move beyond Syed Saddiq to survive, analysts warn

Muda acting president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz has declared her interest in contesting the party elections and expressed hope that Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman will do likewise.

PETALING JAYA: 

Can Muda move past founder Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman to make a significant contribution on the local political scene? That is the key question which looms as the party prepares to hold its first-ever elections in the second quarter of 2025.

University of Tasmania’s James Chin said the party has been overreliant on Syed Saddiq to woo voters and needs to “move past his shadow” to survive. He said the upcoming polls must see an infusion of new blood capable of proving Muda’s relevance in Malaysian politics.

James Chin.

“If they have support from the youth, we will see many new faces. It will show the party is rejuvenating itself and appealing to the next generation,” said Chin.

He said Syed Saddiq also needs to break away from the perception that he is still linked to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“Many still see him as a ‘katak’ (political frog) for Mahathir, which could hurt the party,” he said.

Syed Saddiq was convicted of criminal breach of trust and dishonest misappropriation of property dating back to when he was with Bersatu.

On Nov 9 last year he was sentenced by the High Court to five years in prison and two strokes of the rotan. His appeal from conviction and sentence will be heard by the Court of Appeal in March next year.

Muda’s acting president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz has declared her interest in contesting the party elections and expressed hope that Syed Saddiq, despite his legal woes, will do likewise.

Jayum Jawan.

Meanwhile, Academy of Sciences Malaysia fellow Jayum Jawan expressed pessimism about Muda’s chances in the coming general elections, saying there are no other young figures apart from Syed Saddiq capable of reviving the party’s fortunes.

“The party is made up of unknown young people with some passion. That is not enough. While the young might be educated, they lack the wisdom needed in politics,” he told FMT.

Jayum said although Muda was formed in 2020 to capture youth support, it was a “misjudgement” to assume that all youth will vote for young candidates.

“If such a simple observation is correct, then why don’t women vote for women, or senior voters for aged candidates?”

Jayum said Muda may not survive the coming general elections with Syed Saddiq distancing himself from the party as he fights his conviction.

“He has a few avenues left to exonerate himself, but the road ahead is tough and unpredictable,” he said.

Syaza Shukri.

Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia expects the party elections to see the same faces contesting for positions.

“Even though Amira is calling for party elections to nurture democracy, she will most probably continue as the president,” she told FMT. - FMT