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DESPITE perceptions of its decline, youth-based party Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) is continuing to see an increase in membership, including in PAS-ruled Malay-majority states.
Party information chief Leben Siddarth said the support was coming mainly from university students and young professionals aged 18 to 40.
He said the number of youth joining the party in east coast states was rising.
According to a membership count in 2022, the party had about 79,000 members.
Leben said the party has seen significant growth in its membership since 2020 and the number of those who joined peaked during the Johor elections and the 15th General Election (GE15).
“Our Teroka Bootcamp has seen over 100 participants, showing strong interest from Gen Z in our digital and progressive approach,” he said of Muda’s programme where participants could learn about politics, advocacy, and policies from party leaders and corporate figures.
“We’ve also seen significant growth in Kelantan, with youth from non-urban areas drawn to our social democracy ideology and core values.
“The active participation in our events and programs, including recent ones in Kota Baru, shows our growing influence and refutes any notion of a decline,” he told The Malaysian Insight.
Leben admitted, though, that the party had also been losing members.
“Some members have left for various reasons, such as wanting us to join the government or frustration with internal processes and certain individuals in the party.
“We have had members leave to join other parties due to personal reasons and political ambitions.
“Others have left to focus on their studies or because they wanted us to work with the unity government, overlooking the fact that some ministers have corruption scandals and court cases.
“It’s important to note that members quitting is a common occurrence in any political party, not just Muda.
“Despite these challenges, our new membership portal, part of our party rejuvenation process, is showing positive results,” he said.
Muda formed an electoral partnership with Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the Johor elections as well as GE15 but was excluded from being part of the coalition despite the party’s many attempts to be included.
PH’s secretary-general and Home Minister Saifuddin Ismail Nasution, who was appointed as a senator by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim after failing to defend his Kulim-Bandar Baru parliamentary seat, simply said he was “too busy” to read Muda’s application to join PH.
Despite being ignored by PH, Leben said the youth-based party had not let it affect their morale and he was confident of Muda’s unique “youth-centric” leadership.
“Our party is disruptive, with a youth-led leadership that’s rare in Malaysian politics,” he said.
Commitment to youth and diversity
Muda’s co-founder, former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, is the party’s sole parliamentarian, having successfully defended his Muar seat in GE15.
Amira Aisya, who is the current party president, is Muda’s sole state assemblyman, having won the Puteri Wangsa seat in Johor in her maiden poll.
Notably, Muda’s success can also be credited to PH, which the party partnered with for those elections.
Leben said Malaysian politics was dynamic and did not follow a particular trend forever.
He said the party’s success depended on several factors, including what it represented to voters.
“Whether we defend our current seats or gain more while going solo depends on various factors, including our ability to present a compelling alternative and connect with voters’ aspirations,” he said.
“A key advantage for us is our focus on building a robust talent pool, preparing for both state and federal elections.
“Expect to see new faces with diverse backgrounds and increased female representation in our lineup.
“Our unique position as a digital and disruptive party offers a fresh choice for the electorate, and we are committed to offering a vision that resonates with their needs. Ultimately, the decision will rest with the voters,” Leben added.
Although relatively new to the political scene, Muda had set a political benchmark in providing opportunities for individuals of diverse backgrounds and giving women increased representation in its election candidates lineup.
In the Johor elections, Muda fielded the highest proportion of female candidates. It was also the only party to have more than 50% women in its candidate lineup for the six state elections held last August.
Following PH’s decision to turn its back on Muda, the party formed a partnership with Parti Sosialis Malaysia to contest in the six state polls.
Muda contested 19 seats in four states: 14 in Selangor, three in Penang, and one each in Negri Sembilan and Terengganu.
However, all its candidates were defeated and lost their deposits.
Despite the setbacks and Syed Saddiq quitting as Muda president following his conviction for corruption, Muda remains optimistic of its future.
Leben said Muda’s state leaders and central committees are engaging with individuals from various parties, including smaller and newer ones.
“We recognise the discontent within many parties and understand the need for flexibility in political alliances.
“There are no permanent enemies in politics, and we remain open to various possibilities.
“Some parties took decades to build their strength, while others have declined after decades due to patronage politics and neglecting young leaders.
“Muda’s future is firmly aligned with the young generation – Gen Z, Gen Y, and Undi18 supporters - who seek a new political paradigm,” he said.
Nurturing its future leaders
Leben said Muda wanted to push new faces to the forefront of politics.
“We have identified a group of emerging leaders who are prepared for the next elections, whether we operate independently or form a new coalition.
“Our focus is on nurturing and positioning these future leaders to drive our agenda forward.
“We will continue to innovate by focusing on digital engagement, progressive policies, and youth-led governance. Our approach includes building a robust membership base, engaging with diverse communities, and fostering political education and activism.
“This commitment to innovation and social democracy ensures that Muda remains a significant force in Malaysian politics,” he said.
Leben added that true political influence took time, and that Muda was prepared to grow steadily like parties which had taken decades to establish themselves.
“Our vision for Muda aligns with the aspirations of the young generation, ensuring we stay relevant and impactful.
“Social media engagement and service-oriented politics are already integral to our party, and we aim to aggressively expand our membership nationwide to reinforce our presence and influence,” he said. – August 13, 2024.