Muda not powerful enough to run solo - Experts

SHAH ALAM - Muda is not strong enough to go solo in the state polls.

The youth-based party is considered a newcomer and will have little impact on its own.

According to former University Malaya (UM) Economics and Administration Associate Professor Dr. Edmund Terence Gomez, Muda must first offer a clear economic policy plan to deal with current problems and build on the anti-corruption campaign launched early last year.

"There is a chance for new politics, and Muda began well, energising the young, which was a key reason in their victory in the Johor state election.

"However,they did not follow up which I believe cost them dearly in the 15th General Election (GE15)," Edmund said.

Meanwhile, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) political analyst Associate Professor Dr Syaza Shukri feels that those who embrace the concept of "new politics" are a relatively small minority.

"When we think about it, all parties, including Barisan Nasional (BN), are talking about reform, cleanliness, and so on.

"However, Muda wishes to capitalise on the fact that all of these parties are now part of the establishment," she said.

Syaza added that Muda is also perceived as being linked to the establishment, and they are not viewed as a mass movement, therefore the chances seem minimal, especially in Selangor.

Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) politics and international relations senior lecturer Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said that he is not sure what kind of 'new politics' Muda president Syed Saddiq is offering to the people.

"His party is relatively small, and without the support of Pakatan Harapan (PH), him and his party almost has no chances of winning even one seat.

"Muda has no chance of winning in Selangor unless it aligns itself with one of the existing coalitions, Azizuddin stressed

For Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Political Science Professor Datuk Dr Jayum Anak Jawan stated that Syed Saddiq and his young party members will not have a huge impact since youth is not a strong enough factor to win anywhere.

Jayum explained that even if the young are a sizable voting bloc, they cannot deliver any electorate on their own, he added.

"What they are able to do is help strengthen any politician's chances if they vote as a bloc," Jayun said.

Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA) Professor Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin was of the opinion that Muda is too green of a party to have a significant impact on its own.

Politics necessitates large sums of money, which Muda lacks in comparison to DAP or Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), he added.

"Muda is similar to a newborn baby and it will difficult for them to run in all six states, therefore its best for them to target specific areas, ," Shamsul said.