KUALA LUMPUR – Muda will convene for a high-level meeting after Chinese New Year to finalise several key decisions ahead of its election debut in Johor.
These include identifying seats that it will be contesting in, discussing whether the party will use its own logo or contest under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) banner, and finalising candidates.
The newly minted political outfit had initially planned to start discussions earlier, but the recent debacle surrounding Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Tan Sri Azam Baki and subsequent police investigation involving several Muda members had delayed talks.
However, vice-president Muthalib Uthman said the party has begun ground works in a bid to build its presence in the state and to capture public support.
“Other details pertaining to the Johor polls will be discussed after the Chinese New Year period,” he told The Vibes today.
We already decided to contest in the election during our last meeting on Tuesday night. In phase two of our discussions, we will decide to contest under which logo, who will be placed as candidates, and the likes.”
Muthalib had on Wednesday confirmed Muda’s decision to contest in Johor, but did not provide details.
Rumours are rife that party president and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman could potentially contest in the state election.
Muthalib said such speculations are expected given Syed Saddiq is a Johorean, born and raised in Pulai.
But beyond him, there are several other Muda leaders who are also from Johor, like our secretary-general Amira Aisya Abd Aziz and vice-president Lim Wei Jiet. This is not to say all of our members from Johor will be contesting. We have yet to finalise. We must scrutinise every candidate before deciding.”
Fellow party vice-president Dr Thanussha Francis Xavier similarly told The Vibes that no fixed decisions have been made in regards to the upcoming state polls, and described the situation as “still very fluid”.
She said many party members had also been busy cooperating with police investigations over their involvement in the recent protests against Azam.
“I wouldn’t say the probe has hampered our discussions on Johor, but of course our priority is fighting against injustice.
“While this issue surrounding Azam is going on, of course it takes priority, and we are obligated to attend police questioning when called.”
Last Saturday, Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar assented to dissolve the state assembly following an audience with former Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad.
The Election Commission will be meeting on February 9 to finalise key dates pertaining to the Johor polls, with a press conference scheduled later. – The Vibes, January 28, 2022
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