KUALA LUMPUR – Muda can’t seem to catch a break from receiving brickbats over several controversial issues plaguing the youth-led party over the past week.
Just less than a day after its grand party launch, the infant political party has come under fire and been dubbed as a “frog party” for appointing Nurainie Haziqah Shafii as a central executive committee member.
Nurainie Haziqah, more commonly known as Ainie Haziqah, was PKR Srikandi chief and a Bersatu Srikandi exco member.
Online criticism poured in after controversial graphic designer Fahmi Reza posted on Twitter a picture of Muda’s logo but with a frog wearing a pink tudung on the “u” alphabet.
— Fahmi Reza (@kuasasiswa) February 12, 2022
Social media has since been abuzz with remarks and comments from netizens who questioned the rationale behind Ainie’s appointment, considering the fact that Muda’s leadership had been adamant about not working with “frogs”.
“Muda, please respond. Why? Why the need of a katak (frog)? Without the katak, Muda was doing better,” said Nona Abram, a Twitter user.
MUDA please respond, WHY? WHY? THE NEED OF A KATAK? Without the KATAK MUDA was doing Better.
— Nona Abram (@AbramNona) February 12, 2022
Another user with the handle @TitanKong echoed Nona’s sentiments, questioning what happened to members across the nation who worked hard during the floods.
“The correct question is why Katak is given a central committee role?
“Don’t we have a single soul in 70,000 Muda members that fit that role? What happened to those who worked hard during the flood period? Aren’t they interested to take up leadership role or (was it) never offered to them?”
Docs.. The correct question is why Katak is given PUSAT COMMITTEE role?
— Abg TK ? (@TitanKong) February 12, 2022
Don't we have a single soul in 70k MUDA members that fit into that role?
What happen to those are hardworking during flood period?
Aren't they interested to take up leadership role or never offer to them?
Meanwhile, Segambut Muda secretary Hisham Hamzah had also raised concerns, asking why Ainie was appointed without “any party elections”.
“I have no problem with her or anyone from anywhere joining us at Muda, as a normal member.
“But if you want a position in the party, much less central executive committee, earn it.
“Have party elections and prove to us, 70,000 plus members, why you deserve it,” Hisham said.
I have no problem with her or anyone from anywhere joining us at MUDA. As ahli biasa. But if you want a position in the party, much less central executive committee, earn it. Have party elections and prove to us 70k plus why you deserve it.
— Hisham Hamzah (@HishamHamzah) February 12, 2022
However, another user by the name of Hakkasan shared a different opinion.
Hakkasan, who uses the handle @monsieurhakkan, said Ainie is not an elected representative, and the definition of “frog” needs to be more refined.
“Otherwise, almost everyone is one, (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim) included.
“Katak should be someone who results in a change of government.”
Not speaking on her behalf but she’s not even an elected representative. We need to define katak a little more refined otherwise almost everyone is one, anwar included. Katak should be someone who results in a change of government.
— Hakkasan (@monsieurhakka) February 12, 2022
Ainie must prove herself to the party
Speaking to The Vibes, Muda vice-president Dr Thanussha Francis Xavier came into Ainie’s defence, stressing that the newly appointed central executive member is not an elected representative and is not bound to any mandate.
She explained that even though Muda is a new party and the first party for many of its members, there are some members who were active in other political organisations.
“The onus is on Ainie now to prove herself to Muda, our members and supporters,” she said when contacted by The Vibes.
In a tweet, Dr Thanussha promised all women in Muda that the party would provide them with a platform to lead, blossom and collectively create a difference in the country.
Apparently, she told the rest of the party’s leadership that based on her personal experience, there was not much room in politics for vocal female political leaders to grow.
“When strong women speak up for their views, especially when it’s not in favour of status quo, they are silenced, ignored or blacklisted.”
In addition, she noted that there are individuals in Muda from different backgrounds and other political parties including Umno, Bersatu and Pas.
She explained that her party remains open to individuals, regardless of their background – except elected representatives – who choose to believe in Muda and the politics that it brings to the table.
“I firmly remain committed and do not condone elected representatives switching allegiances and betraying the people’s mandate.”
I firmly remain committed and DO NOT CONDONE elected representatives switching allegiances and betraying the people’s mandate.
— Dr Thanussha ??? (@DrThanussha) February 12, 2022
I accept the criticism, says Ainie
Meanwhile, Ainie also took to Twitter to address the issue, saying she accepts all criticism hurled at her with an open heart.
“I know there are many who disagree with this, not to mention the amount of abuse and criticism I received. I accept all these with an open heart.
“My immediate focus would be on helping and assisting Muda’s machinery in the upcoming Johor election.”
I know there are many who disagree with this, not to mention the amount of abuse and criticism I received. I accept all these with an open heart. pic.twitter.com/HnNDqxUBs4
— Ainie Haziqah (@AinieHaziqah) February 12, 2022
In the meantime, she said she would be continuing her work, particularly on citizenship and statelessness, community, women and children’s issues. These include domestic abuse, social security, injustices and matters relating to migrant and refugees.
“There are some of the key issues which I have been fighting for all this while and is also in line with Muda’s principles and ideology in promoting politics of service and virtues,” she explained.
Muda’s series of recent blunders
Since becoming active recently, the infant party’s leadership and members seem to be shooting themselves in the foot or courting controversy more often than not.
Earlier, Muda secretary-general Amira Aisya was lambasted over a series of confusing tweets she posted about the looming Johor polls, with the netizens accusing her of spreading lies.
Saya gesa 2 BENDA!
— amiraaisya (@_amiraaisya) February 7, 2022
Pertama, SPR perlu selesaikan proses Undi 18 dan AVR.
Kedua, SPR perlu permudahkan proses postal voting bagi orang Johor diluar negara.
Semua ada hak untuk mengundi, dan undian inilah yang akan menentukan masa depan Johor 5 tahun akan datang.#JohorBangkit pic.twitter.com/zfCsoOzeK6
Among the claims she made in her controversial video was that Umno triggered the Johor election in anticipation of low voter turnout, which she said would work in the party’s favour.
Following criticism, Amira posted a tweet in her defence, insisting all three Melaka, Sarawak, and Johor assemblies could have remained intact if it was not for the agendas of several politicians.
She has since admitted her shortcomings and apologised for causing confusion among the public through her videos.
In a separate incident on Wednesday night, the party’s Kedah chapter uploaded an image insinuating that Pakatan Harapan and its component party PKR are working behind the scenes with nemeses Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional.
@partimuda @MUDA_Kedah
— yapxiang (@yapxiang2001) February 9, 2022
Seriously? A new low from MUDA. pic.twitter.com/HcMBc86aQr
Muda information chief Luqman Long issued an apology, saying the post was shared without approval and was done in bad faith.
He also suspended the Kedah information chief from any activities related to the party.
In addition, Muda’s welcoming of real estate tycoon Datin Dian Lee into its fold had also drawn flak from netizens, after many accused the newly formed party of being opportunistic and closely linked to the wealthy.
Lee, a real estate entrepreneur and co-founder of the Clearwater Group boutique property development company, is also the daughter of The Mines Resort co-founder and wealthy developer Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, who made his fortune during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first stint as prime minister.
Coming from a tycoon family, the latest high-profile addition to Muda is a stark contrast to her party colleagues and has since raised much chatter on social media. – The Vibes, February 12, 2022
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