Muda to meet with PSM ahead of elections

Muda is set to meet with PSM to discuss ways both parties can collaborate in the upcoming state elections. 

Its president Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman said the meeting date has not yet been set but both parties have been in talks for a while. 

“Nothing is set in stone but there are a lot more commonalities than differences. 

“We know that PSM leaders have their hearts in the right place and they are men and women of service.

“Where we can collaborate, we should collaborate. We look forward to exploring different areas of collaboration,” he said during a press conference at Muda’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

Yesterday, Muda announced that it would contest solo in the state elections.

Their move was lauded by PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan in a video uploaded to his personal Tiktok account.

“Muda wanted to join Pakatan Harapan but it wasn’t easy. People said that Muda had no support or value (to the coalition).

“Now, when Muda wants to contest solo, you all are angry. You used to say Muda had no support but now you’re saying that they will split votes.

“For Muda, it’s easy, all they have to do is give back to the rakyat and hopefully they will win big someday. All the best,” he said.

Both Muda and PSM had intended to form an electoral pact with Harapan in last year’s GE15.

However, only Muda proceeded with entering the pact, whereas Harapan rejected PSM’s request for the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat.

Sungai Siput was instead given to PKR’s S Kesavan, who won the seat by 1,846 votes.

No more taking voters lightly

Meanwhile, one particular person not amused by Muda’s decision is none other than Syed Saddiq’s former mentor Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Earlier today, Mahathir said there was no reason for the party to contest if it would not be part of the governing administration.

“If you go solo and win a few seats, what can you do?

“The purpose is to be the government. There’s no point if you’re not in the administration,” he said. 

In response, Syed Saddiq reiterated that Muda’s purpose was to provide a “check and balance” to the government and be a voice of the people.

“Yes, we may not be able to conquer the state government but we can ensure we will be the voice of the people and ensure that no one can take the people lightly again,” he said.

Syed Saddiq added that the party did not want a regressive political environment, asserting that Muda would provide a “wake-up call” to the present administration.

He also implied that the current government is taking urban voters lightly.

“If you see, the statements and arguments being put forward (by current leaders), it is more like moderate multiracial voters should vote for us or else Malaysia will go to dogs because there are extremists on the other end (of the political divide). When in reality, it should be about a contest of ideas.

“So much so that they (the government) have taken moderate multiracial Malaysians lightly because it is their safe vote bank,” he said. - Mkini