Analysts say it will be tough for other leaders to match his personality, while one suggests that Muda join a coalition or rope in an external figure.
Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said it would be tough for other Muda leaders to match Syed Saddiq, who embodies the party’s struggle for youth political empowerment.
Without such prominence in other leaders, Zaharuddin said Muda risked becoming a party centred around an individual, which would affect its momentum heading into GE16.
“Muda’s upcoming party elections will be crucial to put forth other young leaders who are equally capable, to prove that Muda is a collective and not just a personality-based movement,” he told FMT.
However, due to Syed Saddiq’s personification of Muda, he said the former minister’s decision to sit out the party polls because of his court case would boost Muda’s image.
He said Muda should bring in another political figure to remain relevant in GE16, especially since the party is not a member of a grand coalition.
“The party should also consider joining a dominant political coalition, whether Pakatan Harapan or Perikatan Nasional,” he added.
He said failure to take such steps could see Muda unable to detach from Syed Saddiq’s personality, and facing the political fate of other parties like Mukhriz Mahathir’s Pejuang and Ibrahim Ali’s Putra.
Muda’s long-delayed internal elections will be held on March 14.
However, Syed Saddiq said he would not be contesting as the prosecution’s appeal against his acquittal of corruption charges is still pending in the Federal Court.
He founded the party in 2021 after leaving Bersatu, but was charged that same year with abetment in criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
He stepped down as Muda president after being convicted in 2023. The Court of Appeal acquitted him last year but the prosecution subsequently filed an appeal to the Federal Court. - FMT
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.