Muda sec-gen: Decision to go solo not influenced by 'outsiders'

The decision by Muda to contest solo in the upcoming six state elections was made by the party leadership, after consulting grassroots and was not influenced by any external party.

According to Muda secretary-general Amir Hariri Abd Hadi, the party is merely offering voters an alternative to "two giants" (existing blocs Pakatan Harapan/BN and Perikatan Nasional), and not acting under anyone else's orders.

"There are those who try to portray Muda as being used by certain quarters (former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad in this context) to go solo in the state polls.

"They (those making such claims) believe that just because their parties are being controlled by 'political dinosaurs', other parties must also be the same," Amir said on Facebook today.

Dismissing such claims, Amir stressed that Muda was a "self-made" party that does not need to suck up to anyone before making decisions.

According to him, the party decided to go solo because the country needs a "wake-up call" from having to deal with multiple issues plaguing the current administration.

He cited political appointments to GLCs, the failure to reform institutions such as the MACC and "absolving" Umno, which in the past has been associated with corruption, as some of the reasons why an alternative is needed.

"Draconian laws which we opposed, such as the University and University Colleges Act (UUCA) 1971, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA), Sedition Act, and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), are still being used despite earlier pledges that they would be amended or repealed.

"The littoral combat ship (LCS) scandal has also now become a petty issue. To date, no 'shark' has been brought to book. In fact, a proposed debate on the issue was also rejected," said Amir.

'Rakyat deserves an alternative'

Amir said the country also needs a more effective opposition, with the current one (PN) being focused mainly on race, religion, and royalty-based sentiments, rather than arguing on policy-based issues.

"Hence, the rakyat deserves to be given an alternative that could serve as a 'slap' to the powers that be."

Amir pledged that the candidates Muda would field in the six state elections will be thoroughly vetted and be responsible for raising his or her own funds for campaigning and contesting.

"We will try to minimise our expenses as much as possible, with the majority of campaigning conducted online.

"We will focus on offering policies, rather than competing on the number of banners and flags.

"Seats (being contested) belong to the rakyat, and not political parties, or politicians. The rakyat will ultimately decide (the winner),” he said.

‘Ready for possibilities’

Yesterday, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, in announcing the party's solo run, said that they would not be cowed by fear-mongering that going solo would only result in "splitting votes".

“The two existing political blocs are not enough.

“We want to make it clear that we will be contesting in the state elections using our strengths and mandates,” Syed Saddiq said at a press conference. - Mkini