[UPDATED] Muda to make grand debut in politics at Melaka polls

KUALA LUMPUR – Youth-led Muda will be making its “debut” by contesting in the Melaka elections next month despite not being a registered political party.

Muda founder Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said in a press conference today that the party will be contesting under the opposition banner, with discussions already underway with the opposition bloc.

Although a candidate was not named, Syed Saddiq said that the person put forward will be someone “dynamic, young and experienced”.

He added that the delays in registering the party can be attributed to the government being afraid of young politicians who will transform the current political culture. 

“Even after more than a year, Muda has not yet been registered because of certain political elites who are afraid to allow the reset of Malaysian politics.”

Meanwhile, he condemned party-hopping and power struggles between elites, saying such practices do not reflect a dignified political environment. 

“The citizens are the ones who will suffer because of their (politicians) actions,” he said, adding that the opposition must do their part by rejecting politicians who do not exemplify people-centric politics. 

“What Muda lacks in money and power, we make up for by having idealism, a fighting spirit, and clear principles.” 

On January 6, the Registrar of Societies (RoS) refused to register Muda as a political party seven days after a court ruling.

Syed Saddiq and 12 others had on August 24 filed their bid for a judicial review to seek an order to cancel the RoS’ decision not to register Muda as a party, naming RoS and the home minister as the first and second respondents respectively.

Earlier, Muda had welcomed Warisan’s offer to use the party as a ticket to enter the polls, with its vice-president Shahrizal Denci saying that the matter is being considered positively in view of a united opposition.

The Election Commission has set November 20 as polling day for the Melaka election and November 8 for nomination, giving parties 12 days to campaign. Early voters can cast their ballots on November 16.

Melaka Governor Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam dissolved the state assembly on October 4 after four assemblymen withdrew their support for then Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali of Umno. – The Vibes, October 27, 2021