KUALA LUMPUR – Just last year, Muda and Warisan were touting a partnership deal that would have seen them share the same political stage, but progress on this seems to have hit a snag.
The impression from recent developments is that both parties are set to face the general election on separate paths – unless they are able to shake off lingering disagreements.
At present, Muda is seen to be cosying up to Pakatan Harapan (PH), while the Sabah-based Warisan now claims it will head into the polls alone and decide on potential alliances only after the election.
This is a far cry from the events of last year, when both party leaders, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, held multiple discussions on cooperation, while also issuing a number of joint statements, indicating a partnership of some sort.
Muda-Warisan ties seemed to have been formalised when Shafie, in announcing Warisan’s expansion to the peninsula on December 17, confirmed an alliance with Muda, with his stated priority to strengthen Warisan’s own “house” before considering other allies.
One indication that things have not played out as initially planned was during the Johor election in March.
Then, Muda opted to cooperate with PH, contesting in seven seats, with only the Larkin constituency seeing a clash with PKR. Warisan, meanwhile, went solo in all six seats it contested, avoiding Muda constituencies.
Despite this, Shafie attempted to mend Warisan’s ties with Muda, with the Sabah lawmaker revealing in May that he had reached out to Syed Saddiq to discuss their relationship, while admitting that things have not gone well for the parties.
Partnership talks on the backburner
While these are clear signs that the two parties are struggling to find a common ground as they attempt to make a bigger impact in Malaysian politics, Muda has downplayed any notions of a squabble between them.
Speaking to The Vibes, Muda secretary-general Amir Abd Hadi said his party’s focus at the moment is to sort out any internal issues and to expand its groundwork at the state and federal levels.
“The issue of cooperation for the general election has not been decided.
“There has not been serious discussions yet with any coalition or party. We are still open to working with any opposition party. It’s just that the priority for the time being is to strengthen our organisation.
“In the end, regardless of who we cooperate with, the important thing is the support from the rakyat. That is why we must increase our effort. That’s our stand for now.”
Amir’s comment follows DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke’s remarks earlier this month that PH’s cooperation with Muda will continue ahead of the election, with an option for the latter to potentially join the coalition officially as a component member.
According to Amir, however, Muda will not engage in political talks for at least the next month as it focuses on its internal organisation. Negotiations with other parties will only begin once its own groundwork is completed, he said.
Warisan leaders, when contacted, said they would not be commenting on ties with Muda at the moment.
PH more beneficial for Muda
Political analysts, meanwhile, said Muda stands to gain more by cooperating with the opposition coalition rather than Warisan.
They said the Johor election is a clear testament of this, where Muda won one seat and garnered substantial support, while Warisan candidates lost their deposits in all the six seats they contested in.
“Muda knows PH has a more superior machinery than Warisan. If they were to work with Warisan, particularly in the peninsula, the latter might be the one relying on Muda rather than the other way round,” Universiti Malaya academic Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi said.
“But if Muda joins PH, whether officially or not, they can rely on a strong PH machinery. In other words, Muda will have a brighter chance of success with PH than Warisan.”
Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Oh Ei Sun similarly believes Muda might find it more beneficial to work with PH, as it would enjoy greater electoral support if it contests in PH’s traditional seats.
“They might not win if they come out in the same constituencies against PH,” he said.
Oh also noted that while Muda and Warisan are essentially targeting the same voter cohort – urban, better-educated voters – the former appears to have better traction among the Malays, while the latter is aiming for non-Malay support.
He said PH, and DAP in particular, know their limitations in winning over Malay votes and are willing to “sub out” some of their more marginal urban and suburban seats to Muda, in the hope the move would benefit the opposition.
“On the other hand, Warisan and PH, and in particular DAP, are in direct collision course, as they are wooing the same non-Malay cohort. As such, the room for cooperation is largely diminished,” he said, in explaining Warisan’s reluctance to cooperate in the peninsula. – The Vibes, August 16, 2022
