Youth-based political party Muda may have only been registered for three months but its launch last night did not reflect that.
The launch at a conference centre in Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur yesterday was attended not only by senior figures of more-established opposition parties but also diplomats from Singapore, US, UK, France and the European Union.
Also in attendance were Warisan president Shafie Apdal, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, DAP deputy secretary-general Teresa Kok and even representatives from Parti Sains which the government has refused to register.
Notably absent, however, was a PKR representative.
"For Muda to be a party of the future we need to ensure we build strong and formidable ties with our international partners.
"Rest assured, a Muda-led government will be a government that is highly transparent, with integrity and embraces moderation and multiracialism," Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said.
Muda's message was one of diversity but not only along the lines of race and religion that is typical of Malaysian politics but also experiences, backgrounds and socio-economy.
Living up to the message, its live stream of the event was accompanied by a sign language translator.
Syed Saddiq also emphasised the diversity of its leadership including young doctors, farmers, and activists.
"Muda must be by far the most multiracial, multireligious, diverse and moderate political party in Malaysia," he said.
Challenges ahead
While the messaging may appeal to progressive voters, the party faces a deeply entrenched political system that leverages race and religion.
The young party of youths is also up against a first-past-the-post electoral system that tends to punish new and small parties and favours the establishment.
Its leadership appeared well aware of the challenges and tampered the hype of their lanch with the realities they face in their speeches.
Muda secretary-general Amira Aisya Abd Aziz impressed upon some 200 party members and leaders at the launch on the need to both have a fighting spirit and also to get down to brass tack.
She said Muda must be a party that is oriented towards new and matured politics based on service and policies.
"I challenge all of you to go to the ground and meet the people. Tell the people what Muda is, listen to the people about what they want and what is new politics.
"When there are issues, we need to be the first to champion the people's rights," she added.
Amira said the party had been on the ground since 2020 even though it was only registered in December last year, including aiding varsity students stranded during the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent floods that devastated parts of the country.
However, its membership of around 76,000, although impressive for a new party, is dwarfed by the likes of Umno which has around 3.3 million members and PAS with one million members.
Interestingly, Muda claimed 92 percent of its members had never joined a political party before.
Political cooperation
Syed Saddiq acknowledged the political realities - including the need to work with other political parties.
This was amid a controversy involving Kedah Muda which had publicly panned not only BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) but also Pakatan Harapan which Muda is in talks with for the Johor polls.
The Muar MP thanked the support from Warisan, Amanah, DAP and Parti Sains, as well as PKR even though the party was absent, for their support.
"Maybe some among us are not comfortable when I mentioned a number of political parties. But Muda should not be arrogant.
"As a youth, we should not be afraid of making mistakes but we should be afraid of arrogantly refusing to admit our mistakes.
"I have made many mistakes during my time in politics but I would be the most arrogant of persons if I don't admit to those mistakes," he added.
Muda's debut in the political scene came at a time of disillusionment for existing political parties and also with the implementation of Undi18, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.
This prompted certain parties, particularly in the opposition, to accommodate Muda.
Syed Saddiq stressed that Muda won't engage in pandering even though the politics of race and religion is deeply entrenched.
Instead, he said Muda will commit to long-term change beyond a couple of elections.
Leadership line-up
The party yesterday also unveiled its full leadership line-up and sought to highlight the roles many have played behind the scenes.
"Anyone who says Muda is about Syed Saddiq does not know the true face of Muda," he said.
In some key operations by the party lately, the Muar MP said he has been but a "cheerleader" while party members such as Amira and the Muda central executive committee have led the charge.
The new Muda leadership line-up is as follows:
President: Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman
Vice-presidents:
Dr Thanussha Francis Xavier
Teo Lee Ken
Shahrizal Denci
Zaidel Baharuddin
Radzi Tajuddin
Secretary-general: Amira Aisya Abd Aziz
Treasurer-general: Tarmizi Anuwar
Information chief: Luqman Long
Central executive committee members:
Amir Hadi
Beatrice Chin
Dr Mathen Nair
Ismail Nasaruddin
Lim Wei Jiet
Nurul Rifayah Muhammad Iqbal
Dian Lee Cheng Ling
Khairil Zulfadhli
Mifzal Mohammed
Warence Mudin
Afiqah Zulkifli
Ainie Haziqah
Aisyah Hanah
State chiefs:
Johor: Mohd Azrol
Malacca: Yosh Wong
Negeri Sembilan: Eric Low
Selangor: Al Hafiz Ikhwan
Pahang: M Malani
Perak: Mutalib Uthman
Kedah: Faqrul Asyraf
Penang: Jazz Tan
Kelantan: Badzlan Bakar
Terengganu: Asyrul Malek
Territory chiefs:
Federal Territories: Taufiq Zarak
Sabah: Amos Thien
Sarawak: Jeffrey Ngui
Perlis is the only state where Muda has not formally set up a chapter yet. - Mkini
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