YOURSAY | ‘Break away from the old politics of PKR, Umno and DAP.’

COMMENT | 10 reasons why Harapan must spurn Muda

Dr Raman Letchumanan: It would seem Pakatan Harapan, and based on its supporters’ comments, should not invite Muda to join its coalition.

They are so confident that Harapan is strong enough to stand on its own and win the 15th general elections (GE15). Harapan communication director Fahmi Fadzil even said none of the Harapan seats would ever be given to Muda if it decides to join.

This is very refreshing to hear. Bravo.

But this was what PKR said in Malacca and Johor. Never mind that is state polls but this is GE, and I am sure there will be a few digits before the zeros.

And by the same token, Harapan and its supporters should not dictate what Muda should do or not do. They shouldn't tell them where to stand or not contest in urban seats against Harapan.

If they do, expect Harapan to call them traitors or former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's lackey. It appears that only Harapan has that privilege to put Mahathir up as PM and do his bidding.

In any case, based on P Gunasegaran who claims to know better:

"Many taken up by Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and his ability to speak to and even galvanise the young and the affluent and among the urban intelligentsia, enjoys support out of all proportion to Muda’s base which is rather small right now and which has no political infrastructure to speak of..."

Muda will definitely be a washout among urban and young voters. So Harapan should have no fear or nightmares about Muda.

As for Muda, considering the pushbacks all around, just go solo, promote your agenda and leave it to the voters to decide. Don't worry about friendly fires; these friends are oldies who don't want to see competition for self-interest and self-preservation.

Nothing is going to change in GE15, but use that opportunity to strengthen yourself for the longer term.

Apanama is Back: Whatever Gunasegaran or other writers say, I stand by my opinion that Malaysians need an option or a kind of third force.

We need Muda even though they are inexperienced and it could be a one-man party. If no one accepts Muda and places a lot of obstacles here and there, then Muda should go solo.

To Muda, win or lose in GE15 would not be the end of the party. It is a beginning.

Milshah: Muda and Pejuang had it hard to be registered as a party by the Registrar of Societies (ROS). So, when it did manage to form officially, many Malaysiakini fans jumped with joy.

Muda brings in young people, away from the old politics of PKR, Umno and DAP. For Muda, being young is a plus, but it is also a negative. Its inexperience shows in its lack in strategy. It won only one seat in the state Johor elections.

The only way for Muda to contest together with Harapan is for Muda to fight the seat contested by Bersatu. But that’s a death sentence for any multiracial party, including Muda.

Even PKR and DAP would lose contesting those areas. Without support and backing from Harapan, Muda will most likely be wiped out. Or is it?

There is one more strategy Muda can deploy. Muda contesting the urban areas where DAP and PKR are contesting. That is Muda's area of influence anyway.

Young, idealistic people are in the urban seats. They are tired of the old politics. A Muda vs Harapan confrontation perhaps? Possible? What choice does Muda have if Harapan closes its door to Muda?

PurpleGopher1703: Of course, Muda wants to piggyback on Harapan, because they can't win in a multi-cornered fight. It has no machinery, no track record, no funding, and no vision. They will again cream off DAP and Amanah.

If history has taught us anything, Harapan should just keep to PKR, DAP and Amanah. All new members have to first show their worth by supporting the core team.

Fight in new areas that do not currently belong to PKR, DAP and Amanah. That means no giving of existing seats to anyone. Otherwise, this will be another Bersatu in the making

Please wise up, Harapan leadership. It is this soft-heartedness that has made you a fool in the past and it is the reason why those who voted for you were so fed up with your lack of wisdom "sampai kena main" (played out by the) in the Sheraton Move.

Bamboo: Indeed, Harapan should stick to PKR-DAP-Amanah alliance. PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli is right, big tent can't work, remember the betrayal of Bersatu and former PKR deputy chief Azmin Ali's gang?

Just go into GE15 with PKR-DAP-Amanah alliance, and when the dust settled, if Harapan needs further coalition partner/s to govern, go negotiate with them after GE15.

And I am optimistic that Harapan can win big and govern alone. The Najib Abdul Razak circus in Federal Court and the Umno special briefing should have opened the eyes of the Malays that Umno needed to be voted out of power.

Otherwise, Malaysia can't move ahead but regress.

BluePanther4725: Harapan and PKR should give Muda a chance. Muda can attract young voters and they represent change and reform.

Syed Saddiq has made some mistakes, but it doesn't mean he cannot change for the better. Besides, Muda is not about Syed Saddiq alone.

If managed well, Muda represents the progressive force of the youth who have breached the politics of race and religion.

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