By Niza Shimi
It’s a big surprise when a young political party, both in the age of party and of members, that is adept at using social media to air their grouses now don’t consider it as a proper channel.
According to this report by Free Malaysia Today (FMT) on September 28, 2022, that is.
These days everybody uses social media to share thoughts about work, school, their spouse, and whatever else they can think of. But Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman doesn’t think it is the proper channel to air grievances about the party.
He said this when asked about claims that the party prohibits its leaders from airing their grievances on social media. Screenshots of the claims by several ex-MUDA leaders have been making social media rounds.
Syed Saddiq said it was fine for anyone in MUDA to criticise the party, adding that he himself accepted criticism as the party president.
“(However,) there are proper channels in the party for you to do so. We have an organisation and discipline bureau for you to vent your frustrations,” he said.
Perhaps MUDA members are not aware of the proper channels, being so young and new at this game of politics. Syed Saddiq might need to do some awareness training among MUDA members to school them that social media is to be used against others, not against your own.
MUDA is facing stiff resistance in its bid to join the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition. The results should be known by today. But an “unofficial” internal memorandum against MUDA joining the coalition was supposedly signed by every state Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) youth chief.
FMT reported on the memo on October 4, 2022, the eve of the big decision on whether to admit MUDA. Among other points raised in the memo, this particular issue might put Syed Saddiq on the defensive.
The memo allegedly stated: “Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was also among the individuals who were involved in the Sheraton Move, which led to the fall of the PH government. He had an instrumental role in preventing the transition of power to Anwar Ibrahim.”
They added that a recording of one of the PH meetings prior to the fall of its administration in 2020 had captured Syed Saddiq opposing any move by Mahathir to pass on the premiership to Anwar.
It is not stated how the recording was obtained but that might put a monkey wrench in MUDA’s efforts to join PH. Do the grouses of the PKR youth leaders merit attention? Did they go through proper enough channels?
Syed Saddiq has been making the case for PH to admit MUDA through the media. Will it work?
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