After its devastating loss, what’s next for Muda?

 

Muda lost in all 19 state seats it contested in Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan and Terengganu at the Aug 12 polls. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: A political analyst has urged Muda to cast aside its ambitions of becoming the third force in Malaysian politics following its wipeout at the recent six state elections.

“I think Muda has shown they can be a very brutal spoiler in seats where there is a close fight between Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan or Barisan Nasional,” said Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara.

“Muda will attract voters who would vote PH but not PN because their voter demographics (are) totally different.

“Muda voters are similar to PH voters so when Muda is together with PH (in a constituency) it will pull votes from PH. In the end, PH will lose, not Muda,” said Azmi.

But a political party cannot aspire only to be a spoiler, he said.

At Saturday’s polls, Muda, set up by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman in September 2020, lost in all the 19 state seats it contested in Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan and Terengganu.

Azmi said instead of operating as a third force, Muda should seek to join PH.

Alternatively, it could seek a merger with PKR or DAP, as suggested by the DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang.

Muda decided to go it alone at the state polls despite being a part of the government bloc in the Dewan Rakyat.

The party’s decision was criticised by DAP and PKR members who said the move would only split the votes during the polls, to the benefit of Perikatan Nasional.

Azmi said a merger with DAP would benefit both parties and rejuvenate DAP’s image and boost its multiracial credentials.

Oh Ei Sun from the Singapore Institute of International Affairs says Muda must learn from the experience of DAP and PKR, which were once opposition parties.

“While Muda prides itself on its fresh and young political image, it needs to learn how to survive in the political wilderness from more established parties such as DAP and PKR.

“This includes persistent and consistent political messaging, and more rapport with the grassroots.”

Oh said the proposed merger had its benefits but was unnecessary for DAP.

“At the macro-political level, it is a logical idea, as Muda attracts almost the same cohort of supporters as DAP, but lacks the kind of party machinery as DAP.”

“So Muda is a plus, but not a must, for DAP,” Oh told FMT. - FMT