Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman will still be the face of Muda in the 16th general election despite the Muar MP’s decision not to contest the party’s upcoming polls, an analyst says.
Syed Saddiq’s enduring role
Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said it would be tough for other Muda leaders to match Syed Saddiq.
He embodies the party’s struggle for youth political empowerment.
Without such prominence in other leaders, Zaharuddin said Muda risked becoming a party centred around an individual.
This would affect its momentum heading into GE16.
“Muda’s upcoming party elections will be crucial to put forth other young leaders who are equally capable,” he told FMT.
“To prove that Muda is a collective and not just a personality-based movement.”
However, due to Syed Saddiq’s personification of Muda, he said the former minister’s decision to sit out the party polls because of his court case would boost Muda’s image.
Diverging analyst views
Tawfik Yaakub of Universiti Malaya disagreed.
He said Muda’s prominence and support could be dealt a blow by Syed Saddiq taking a step back from its leadership.
Tawfik said Muda should bring in another political figure to remain relevant in GE16.
Especially since the party is not a member of a grand coalition.
“The party should also consider joining a dominant political coalition, whether Pakatan Harapan or Perikatan Nasional,” he added.
He said failure to take such steps could see Muda unable to detach from Syed Saddiq’s personality.
It might face the political fate of other parties like Mukhriz Mahathir’s Pejuang and Ibrahim Ali’s Putra.
Upcoming polls and context
Muda’s long-delayed internal elections will be held on March 14.
Syed Saddiq said he would not be contesting as the prosecution’s appeal against his acquittal of corruption charges is still pending in the Federal Court.
He founded the party in 2021 after leaving Bersatu.
He was charged that same year with abetment in criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
He stepped down as Muda president after being convicted in 2023.
The Court of Appeal acquitted him last year but the prosecution subsequently filed an appeal to the Federal Court.
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