The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Malay: Ikatan Demokratik Malaysia, Chinese: 马来西亚民主联合阵线, Tamil: மலேசிய ஐக்கிய மக்களாட்சி கூட்டணி; abbreviated: MUDA) is a multi-racial and youth-centric political party in Malaysia formed by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman in September 2020.[2][3][4][5]
Malaysian United Democratic Alliance Ikatan Demokratik Malaysia | |
---|---|
Malay name | Ikatan Demokratik Malaysia ايكتن ديموكراتيک مليسيا |
Chinese name | 馬來西亞民主聯合陣線 马来西亚民主联合阵线 Má-lâi-se-a Bîn-chú Liân-ha̍p Tīn-sòaⁿ maa5 loi4 sai1 aa3 man4 zyu2 lyun4 hap6 zan6 sin3 Mǎláixīyà mínzhǔ liánhé zhèn xiàn |
Tamil name | மலேசிய ஐக்கிய மக்களாட்சி கூட்டணி Maleciya aikkiya jaṉanāyaka kūṭṭaṇi |
Abbreviation | MUDA |
President | Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz (Acting) |
Secretary-General | Amir Hariri Abdul Hadi |
Deputy President | Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz |
Vice President |
|
Treasurer-General | Shairy Hanapiah |
Founder |
|
Founded | 17 September 2020 |
Registered | 23 December 2021 |
Split from | BERSATU |
Headquarters | Rumah Hitam, Pejabat MUDA D-2-08, Jalan SS 6/20a, Dataran Glomac, Pusat Bandar Kelana Jaya 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor |
Student wing | Ikatan Mahasiswa Demokratik Malaysia |
Membership (2022) | 79,980 |
Ideology | |
Political position | Centre-left |
National affiliation | Allied coalition Pakatan Harapan (2020–2023) Electoral pact Socialist Party of Malaysia (since 2023) |
Colours | Black and white |
Slogan | Budi – Tara – Serta |
Anthem | Muda Sudah Mula |
Dewan Negara | 0 / 70
|
Dewan Rakyat | 1 / 222
|
State Legislative Assemblies | 1 / 600
|
Chief ministers of states | 0 / 13
|
Election symbol | |
Party flag | |
Website | |
muda | |
In 2024, MUDA will hold its leadership election for the first time since its inception.[6][7]
History
editFormation
editThe Malaysian United Democratic Alliance was formed by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman in September 2020. Previously, Syed Saddiq served as Minister of Youth and Sports in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration. He was the youngest-ever Malaysian politician in a Cabinet post when appointed in 2018 at the age of 25.[5] He is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Muar, and originally a member of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), but his party membership was terminated amid the February 2020 Sheraton Move, along with four other MPs including ex-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.[8] Mahathir later formed the Homeland Fighters' Party (PEJUANG)[9][10] but Syed Saddiq declined to join Mahathir's new party.[11] On 17 September 2020, he formally applied to register his own new party with Registrar of Societies (RoS).[12] At the time of 2020 political crisis, Malaysian politicians had been fighting for control of parliament, with the PN coalition holding a very thin majority.[5]
MUDA has been sponsored by Syed Saddiq, Amir Abd Hadi, Dr. Tanussha Francis Xavier, Sharizal Denci, Afiqah Zulkifli, Lim Wei Jiet, Luqman Long, Radzi Tajuddin, Tarmizi Anuwar, Dr. Mathen Muniasupran, Mutalib Uthman, Siti Rahayu Baharin and Dr. Teo Lee Ken. Syed Saddiq has stated that MUDA is modeled after two other political parties: La Republique En Marche! of France and the now-defunct Future Forward Party of Thailand.[13] He has also stated that his party will be multi-racial and youth-based, representing "all levels of society, regardless of race, religion or age".[2][3][13] The formation of this party follows a trend of millennial-based political parties in South East Asia, such as the Indonesian Solidarity Party in Indonesia and the Future Forward Party in Thailand.[5] MUDA seeks to be disruptive and pro-democracy, with policies based on reform and modern ideals, championing diversity, inclusivity and innovation..[14] It targets "middle Malaysia" with promises of "meritocratic, racially inclusive and policy-driven governance", and is also targeting the unregistered electorate.[15]
Rejected registration and court case
editMUDA's registration was rejected by the RoS on 6 January 2021 via a RoS email, in which no reason was given for the rejection.[16] On 12 January, MUDA through its 13 pro-tem committee, including Syed Saddiq, sought a court order to reverse the decision of Minister of Home Affairs and for the RoS to register it.[17] Judge Mariana Yahya had set the date 4 February 2021 after hearing arguments from MUDA's lawyers' team the High Court of Malaysia to decide whether to allow MUDA a judicial review against the government decision. The lawyers representing MUDA are former attorney-general Tommy Thomas, Ambiga Sreenevasan and Lim Wei Jiet.[18]
Syed Saddiq claims the Home Affairs Minister Hamzah Zainudin had told him that his party would be registered and approved if he pledged to support the ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition. He also claims that Hamzah had asked him to refrain from voting on government bills he opposed as part of the deal. MUDA also alleged that the rejection was PN government's agenda to prevent it from participating in the next general election.[19][20]
On 4 February, the High Court again dismissed a leave application by MUDA in its challenge to the rejection of its application as a political party.[21] On the same day, MUDA filed a judicial review application,[22] MUDA has questioned the RoS for still doing background checks on the party and not approving its application as a political party albeit after six months on 25 March.[19] MUDA was allowed by the High Court to go ahead with a judicial review against the government's refusal to register it as a political party on 21 September.[23] The High Court, during case management, fixed 14 December to hear the application.[24] The High Court has ordered the Home Affairs Ministry to allow the registration within 14 days on 14 December.[25]
Legalised and registered
editFollowing the lawsuit, MUDA was finally registered as an official political party after its registration was approved by the RoS on 23 December 2021.[26] As of 23 December 2021, the party is already listed as active by the RoS website.[27] The successful registration allows the use of the party logo officially to contest future political elections.[28] It was publicly announced only on 29 December 2021[29] as the event coincided with December 2021 Malaysian floods relief operations that involved the new party.[30]
2022 Johor state election
editOn 29 January 2022, MUDA confirmed its intention to participate in the Johor state election.[31]
On 9 February 2022, DAP, AMANAH and MUDA signed an agreement unveiling the outcomes of their cooperation on seat negotiations by declaring that they will not contest against each other, with MUDA getting 6 seats previously allocated to DAP and AMANAH ranging from Tenang, Bukit Kepong, Parit Raja, Machap, Puteri Wangsa and Bukit Permai. MUDA also clarified that the seat negotiations with PKR are still ongoing to "achieve unity in facing this election"[32] The three parties also said they would combine their election machinery to support all of their candidates as they were about to move on as election strategic partners although MUDA is not part of PH and this is in line with the "big camp" principle to unite all Opposition parties to take on the ruling BN coalition. They also promised to form the Johor state government together if they win in the election. Johor PKR Chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said PKR had offered 3 seats to MUDA and was awaiting a response to the offer.[33]
On 13 March 2022, MUDA won one seat in the first election it contested. MUDA Secretary General Amira Aisya won the Puteri Wangsa seat. President of MUDA Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman described the victory in the seat out of the seven seats contested as the party's first step to continue to gain a foothold in the country's political landscape.[34]
2023 state elections
editOn 26 June 2023, MUDA announced that they would contest as an independent party in the 2023 Malaysian state elections separately from the existing coalition government after Pakatan Harapan allegedly rejected efforts to engage in discussions.[35][36] The party's decision to contest independently has faced criticism for potentially splitting PH votes.[37] On 15 July, Syed Saddiq announced that MUDA has formed an electoral pact with Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) for the state elections to be the "third choice" for voters "who are unhappy and bored with the politicians now and want to protest."[38][39] MUDA will be fielding 20 candidates (10 men & 10 women) for the state elections.[40][41] Syed Saddiq announced that MUDA will be in the opposition bloc in the state legislative assembly should the PH-BN alliance win the Penang state election.[42]
MUDA and PSM failed to win a single seat contested with all candidates losing their election deposits.[41][43] MUDA was lambasted by PH supporters for the party's supposed role in vote splitting where PH lost the Sungai Kandis seat that MUDA contested to PN by a very small margin.[44]
List of leaders
editNo. | Portrait | President | Term start | Term end |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman | 17 September 2020 | 9 November 2023 | |
– | Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz (acting) | 9 November 2023 | Incumbent |
Leadership structure
edit- President:
- Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz (Acting)
- Deputy President:
- Vice Presidents:[45]
- Siti Rahayu Baharin
- Zaidel Baharuddin
- Shahrizal Denci
- Secretary-General:
- Treasurer-General:
- Shairy Hanapiah
- Information Chief:
- Leben Siddarth (Acting)
- Central Executive Committee members:[46]
- Beatrice Chin
- Nurainie Haziqah Shafi'i
- Farah Syahidah Shamsuddin
- Nur Afiqah Zulkifli
- Ahmad Zarul Afiq Arifudin
- Aisyah Farhanah Mohamed @ Salim
- Thanusha Ramanieswaran
- Lim Wei Jiet
- State Chairpersons:
- Sabah Region: Faezrah Rizalman (Acting)
- Sarawak Region: Jeffrey Ngui
- Federal Territories Region: Hisham Hamzah
- Johor: Mohd Azrol Ab Rahani
- Kedah: Faqrul Asyraf
- Kelantan: Abdul Rahman Khairuddin
- Melaka: Yosh Wong
- Negeri Sembilan: Tarmizi Anuwar
- Penang: Andika Putera
- Perak: Rajasekaran Taegarajan
- Selangor: Al Hafiz Ikhwan Mohamad Asaad
Elected representatives
editDewan Rakyat (House of Representatives)
editMembers of Parliament of the 15th Malaysian Parliament
editMUDA currently has a single MP in the Dewan Rakyat.
State | No. | Parliament Constituency | Member | Party | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P146 | Muar | Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman | MUDA | |||
Total | Johor (1) |
Dewan Undangan Negeri (State Legislative Assembly)
editJohor State Legislative Assembly
State | No. | Parliament Constituency | No. | State Constituency | Member | Party | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P158 | Tebrau | N41 | Puteri Wangsa | Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz | MUDA | ||
Total | Johor (1) |
General election results
editElection | Total seats won | Seats contested | Total votes | Voting Percentage | Outcome of election | Election leader |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | 1 / 222
|
6 | 74,392 | 0.48 | Opposition (2023–) |
Syed Saddiq |
State election results
editState election | State Legislative Assembly | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Perlis | Kedah | Kelantan | Terengganu | Penang | Perak | Pahang | Selangor | Negeri Sembilan | Malacca | Johor | Sabah | Sarawak | Total won / Total contested | |
2/3 majority | 2 / 3
|
2 / 3
|
2 / 3
|
2 / 3
|
2 / 3
|
2 / 3
|
2 / 3
|
2 / 3
|
2 / 3
|
2 / 3
|
2 / 3
|
2 / 3
|
2 / 3
|
|
2022 | 1 / 56
|
1 / 7
| ||||||||||||
2023 | 0 / 36
|
0 / 45
|
0 / 32
|
0 / 40
|
0 / 56
|
0 / 36
|
0 / 19
|
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Mikha Chan (14 June 2024). "Muda now identifies itself as social democratic party". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
- ^ a b Mazwin Nik Anis (17 September 2020). "Syed Saddiq applies to register new party, Muda". The Star. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ a b Dhesegaan Bala Krishnan (17 September 2021). "Ready, Syed, go: Syed Saddiq registers new party, 'Muda'". New Straits Times. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ "赛沙迪新党"MUDA"正式申请注册 · 党徽出炉" [Syed Saddiq's new party "MUDA" officially applies for registration, unveils party's logo]. www.sinchew.com.my. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ a b c d "How a New Youth-Driven Party Is Shaking Up Malaysian Politics". www.worldpoliticsreview.com. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
- ^ "Muda to hold party polls early amid 'unhappiness' with leadership". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ "Muda to hold first party polls ahead of schedule". The Star. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ "Tun M dipecat dari Bersatu" [Tun M fired from Bersatu]. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- ^ "Tun Mahathir umum akan tubuh parti Melayu baharu". 7 August 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- ^ "Tun M umum nama parti baharu, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air". 12 August 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- ^ "Syed Saddiq bayangkan tak sertai PEJUANG, tubuh parti baharu". 21 August 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- ^ "Syed Saddiq daftar Parti Muda Malaysia". 17 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- ^ a b "New youth party hopes to 'unshackle' Malaysia". 3 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- ^ "Syed Saddiq On MUDA And Being An Agent Of Change". Augustman. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
- ^ "Is MUDA a new hope for Malaysian politics?". East Asia Forum. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
- ^ "Syed Saddiq's Muda also turned down by RoS". Free Malaysia Today. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
- ^ Ida Lim (24 January 2021). "Syed Saddiq's Muda sues home minister, asks court to order RoS to approve party's registration". Malay Mail. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ "Court to decide next Thursday if Muda can challenge ROS' rejection of party". The Edge Markets. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ a b Sharin Aizat Noorsharizam (25 March 2021). "Still not approved as a party, Muda questions RoS' six-month background check". Malay Mail. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ "Wan Fayhsal: I asked Syed Saddiq to put aside political rivalry". Malaysiakini. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ "Court says 'no' to Muda's bid for judicial review of its rejection by RoS". www.thestar.com.my. The Star. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
- ^ "MUDA files judicial review over party's registration". Bernama. New Straits Times. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
- ^ "Muda allowed to challenge govt's refusal to register party". Free Malaysia Today. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ "Dec 14 hearing for MUDA's bid to compel home minister to register party". The Edge Markets. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Ruzki, Rafidah Mat (14 December 2021). "Mahkamah Tinggi arah MUDA didaftarkan sebagai parti politik". Berita Harian. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ^ Yiswaree Paransamy (29 December 2021). "Syed Saddiq says Muda officially registered". Malay Mail. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Jabatan Pendaftaran Pertubuhan Malaysia". www.ros.gov.my. Registrar of Societies (RoS). Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Muda registered as a political party, says Syed Saddiq". The Star. 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ Yasmin Ramlan (29 December 2021). "Syed Saddiq: Muda is now an officially registered party". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ Hassan, Hazlin (19 December 2021). "Peninsular Malaysia hit by '1-in-100-year' rainfall, govt says amid severe flooding". The Straits Times. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Syed Saddiq confirms Muda to contest in Johor polls". The Vibes. 29 January 2022.
- ^ "DAP dan Amanah setuju Muda bertanding 6 kerusi di Johor". Malaysiakini. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ Razak, Radzi (9 February 2022). "Johor polls: Muda says seat talks not done yet, chides state PKR for jumping the gun | Malay Mail". www.malaymail.com. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/muda-menangi-satu-kerusi-dalam-pilihan-raya-pertamanya-351502 [bare URL]
- ^ Mahmud, Aqil Haziq (28 June 2023). "MUDA to contest state polls alone after 'left hanging' by Pakatan Harapan: Syed Saddiq". CNA. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- ^ "MUDA Memutuskan Untuk Bertanding PRN Kali Ini". Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "'Not too late' for Pakatan, Muda to avoid vote split in six state polls, says Kit Siang". Borneo Post Online. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ Chan, Julia (15 July 2023). "Muda, PSM join forces for state polls to take a stand against racial politics". Malay Mail. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- ^ Sufian, Puteri Aisya (15 July 2023). "Muda and PSM to work together in state polls". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- ^ Vethasalam, Ragananthini (3 August 2023). "State polls: Muda candidates declare assets, net worth ranges from RM1,551 to RM13.9mil". The Star. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ a b Bunyan, John (13 August 2023). "Muda says it accepts outcome of state elections after failing to secure any seats". Malay Mail. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ Mok, Opalyn (8 August 2023). "Syed Saddiq: Muda aims to be people's opposition in Penang if Pakatan retains state". Malay Mail. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ "96 CALON 'BERPUTIH MATA' HILANG WANG DEPOSIT". BERNAMA. 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ Aiman, Amirul (13 August 2023). "'Get rid of them', netizens react to Muda". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ @partimuda (11 February 2022). "Barisan Pimpinan Tertinggi MUDA. Presiden✅Naib Presiden✅Setiausaha Agung✅Bendahari Agung ✅Ketua Penerangan✅K…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Jawatankuasa Eksekutif Pusat (JKEP) – Siapa MUDA". Malaysian United Democratic Alliance. Retrieved 15 November 2023.