LETTER | Muda can’t be the third force everyone wants, for now

LETTER | The fiasco between Muda and Pakatan Harapan lies in the dispute on whether Harapan should accept Muda as one of its component parties.

It is not the first time Muda has voiced out their dissatisfaction over Harapan’s actions that may have driven them apart since the coalition government was formed.

Muda was never invited to any unity government secretariat meetings. Though it is technically right to do so, this would surely tarnish their relationship built based on a common electoral goal of returning to power after the Sheraton Move, where they were both victims.

Harapan does not have any intentions to maintain the existing relationship or foster better ties with Muda.

Not only all the seats allocated for Muda are difficult ones where they do not stand a chance, but they have also been silent on Muda’s application to join them.

Therefore, it could be seen as a protest when Muda attempts to fly solo in the upcoming state elections. If they could win a strong number of seats, it would be a hard hit on Harapan’s face, making them realise that ignoring the youth-centric party was a dumb decision.

Indirectly, they could also be the “third force” that everyone is rambling about right now. Even Muda themselves have packaged their decision to contest alone on pledges of being a “third force” to disrupt the two political giants currently active in the scene.

Let’s be realistic, however. What are the chances Muda have? If the unity government’s hypocrisy and the opposition’s extremism are the reasons cited for a potential Muda’s rise, then this is nothing but a huge daydream.

Based on history, political changes in Malaysia require “trigger events”. In 1969, the gruesome May 13 riots triggered the birth of Barisan Nasional (BN), which had absorbed all the prominent opposition parties and ruled the country for decades.

Five years ago, people’s staggering anger over the 1MDB scandal had driven them to oust BN from power. Last year, a “green wave” was produced when the Perikatan Nasional (PN) contested in GE15 as a cleaner alternative compared to the corruption-tainted Umno.

All these “trigger events” not only possess national-level impacts, but they are also indisputably obvious where people could physically feel their presence.

The unity government’s hypocrisy and the opposition’s extremism still remain as scattered mouthpieces without a unifying force to amplify their impacts.

Be ‘kingmakers’

Malaysians indeed need a “third force” to remind the current two political giants that they could be easily replaced if they do not perform well, but who is out there to be that force?

Clearly, Muda is still not strong enough, judging from the present scenario.

Muda needs to be the “kingmaker” in the six state elections to prove their pledges. Otherwise, their statements now will become the ground for their endless populism in the future, losing all opportunities to actually “walk their talk”.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.