[UPDATED] In apparent U-turn, Muda now says it won’t stand in Tapah

KUALA LUMPUR – Muda has clarified that it is not fielding a candidate in the Tapah federal constituency in an apparent U-turn after its Perak chief Mutalib Uthman had earlier announced his candidacy for the seat on Facebook.

In a statement, Muda information chief Luqman Long said the seat will be left to Pakatan Harapan (PH) and that the youth-based party’s candidates will be announced by its election director Amira Aisya Abd Aziz.

In a now deleted post, Mutalib said his candidacy was a result of discussions with PH and after a statement made by PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli on the status of the Tapah and Sembrong parliamentary seats.

Tapah has been a MIC stronghold since the seat was created in 1986. Its incumbent Datuk Seri M. Saravanan has held the seat for three terms since the 2008 general election. 

He is expected to defend the seat as well.

Last night, Muda announced the first three parliamentary seats that it would contest in the coming 15th general election.

The party is set to contest in Kepala Batas, with 26-year-old Muhammad Danial Abdul Majeed being fielded in the semi-rural constituency in a possible “David v Goliath” showdown against incumbent Umno MP Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

In announcing the seats, Amira – who is also Muda’s deputy president – also announced teacher Siti Rahayu Baharin as the party’s contender against Selangor Barisan Nasional chief and incumbent MP Tan Sri Noh Omar in Tg Karang.

Lawyer Lim Wei Jiet will contest in Tg Piai in Johor against MCA incumbent Datuk Seri Wee Jeck Seng.

Amira also confirmed that its seat negotiations with PH have been finalised and its electoral pact formalised as of this afternoon.

Muda will contest one parliamentary seat in Sabah, with the announcement set to be made on Monday, while whether party president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman will defend Muar will be revealed by Wednesday. – The Vibes, October 30, 2022