Syed Saddiq: Muda here to serve all Malaysians, young and old

 

Youth-based party Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) will serve all Malaysians regardless of age, race, religion and even political leanings, said party chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

Refuting claims that Muda was a national security threat, the Muar MP said the party aims to build bridges rather than destroy the country.

"We want to build a multi-racial, multi-religious country that is moderate to strengthen politics of serving (others) so that no one poor is left out of democracy, so that the voices of youths are not sidelined but uplifted and represented," he told reporters today.

Syed Saddiq (above) was speaking outside the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex after the High Court there ruled that the Home Ministry must register Muda as a political party in 14 days.

The party had been in limbo for over a year after it first filed to register with the Registrar of Societies in September 2020.

Addressing Muda party members who had gathered for the ruling, Syed Saddiq urged them to serve others regardless of differences.

"It is true we don't have money, experience, power and positions - just like many others out there.

"But we do have a pure and clean heart, and we are here because we want to serve, not because we want power and position.

"If there is a poor family in your area, help them out like they are your own family, regardless of religion, race, or political leanings," he said. 

"In the end, we are only stronger together as one country," he added.

Muda can contest in elections

With formal registration, Muda will be eligible to contest in future elections using its own banner.

However, it has expressed an interest to work with Pakatan Harapan.

Negotiations had been carried out for Muda to contest under Harapan during the Malacca polls.

But the talks broke down, with Syed Saddiq saying the party could not accept Harapan's decision to field "political frogs", referring to two former Umno leaders Idris Haron and Nor Azman Hassan - whose defections had led to the Malacca polls.

Muda had also been in talks with Sabah-based party Warisan - which will be launching an expansion into Peninsular Malaysia this month.

Dr M proxy speculation 

Muda's friendliness with Warisan has led some to speculate that the party is a proxy for former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Syed Saddiq - who is Muda's pro-tem president - was Mahathir's protege when both were members of Bersatu. The two were expelled for not supporting the change in government during the Sheraton Move.

Mahathir, however, has expressed scepticism that Muda can succeed as a party while touting his own political outfit Pejuang as a potential kingmaker. - Mkini