The Malaysian Insight

IN the run-up to a general election, youth party Muda is strengthening its presence in rural and sub-rural areas, its vice-president Teo Lee Ken said.

Teo said while the party wants to make inroads in rural Kelantan, Terengganu, and Sabah, it is unlikely to succeed.

The party has around 73,000 registered members nationwide and 60,000 volunteers.

“The focus in the short term is to reinforce our presence in rural and sub-rural areas, in parts of Negri Sembilan, Malacca, Johor, Sabah and Perak before moving elsewhere,” Teo told The Malaysian Insight.

“Internally we are strengthening the party’s policies and policy identity. It is something that we need to work harder on, to build on and articulate our identity when it comes to where we stand, who we stand with and what we want to do.

“We also want to double up on our grassroots work and mobilisation, which includes servicing.

“We are moving to political projects such as getting data on what people’s problems on the ground are, why people vote the way they vote, creating a machinery for election campaigning and a nationwide tour of going down to the group to meet our members and the electorate.”

Muda was founded by former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman in September 2020. He is also the party’s only member of parliament.

The party debuted in the Johor state elections and was able to clinch the Puteri Wangsa seat via its secretary-general Amira Aisya Abd Aziz.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has been under pressure by his party Umno to dissolve parliament, leaving many to speculate that an election will be held before the end of the year.

Teo conceded it is not possible for the party to win votes in rural areas on the east coast.

“In the short term, that is not something we are capable of doing; we are limited in our scope.” Teo said.

“But having a strong presence in Kelantan, Terengganu and certain parts of Pahang is part of a longer plan.”

Teo said the party is trying to penetrate these areas by emphasising on relationship building and introducing the people there to Muda.

“As much as people would say that policies are important, social welfare is also very important on the ground level.

“People face many different issues and difficulties in those towns and areas; so how can we help them, for example in terms of laptops, basic necessities, food? 

“That gives us a way to engage and be close to the audience and electorate. 

“In doing that, we can carry out education of what Muda stands for and build relations,” he said.

United opposition

Muda will be embarking on a nationwide roadshow beginning next week for two to three months, Teo said.

“We want to engage and gather views on what are the most important issues right now. What are the people’s hopes and vision for Malaysia going forward? What they would like to see within our manifesto and what would they like to see being taken up by Muda?”

The road show is held in collaboration with students, non-governmental organisations and community-based interest groups.

“By doing this, we try to start a new conversation and persuade people that we can do something, that we are trying, and that they matter. 

“Hopefully people will be convinced to come out and vote.”

The Johor elections saw a voter turnout of 50% compared to 65% in Malacca and 70% in Sarawak.

Teo said Muda is hoping for a united opposition going into GE15, but if that fails, it would align itself with Pakatan Harapan, its closest ally.

“Electorally and practically, it would make sense to have a united opposition. Malacca and Johor have shown us that if we go in with other than a united front, we will lose. 

“If that does not happen, our most familiar partners are still PH, not only because of political strategy, but many of the policies, reforms and values are shared.

“Reforms cannot happen unless you have a presence in parliament. As much as we would like to go alone, if we want to be involved in nation building, policy and decision making, we will have to engage in politics and have a seat at the table.” – July 14, 2022.