Dr Mahathir tells Muda no point contesting if not going to be part of administration

Dr Mahathir tells Muda no point contesting if not going to be part of administration


Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaks during a press conference at Sama-Sama hotel in Sepang June 28, 2023. ― Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Wednesday, 28 Jun 2023 1:51 PM MYT


SEPANG, June 28 — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today questioned the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance’s (Muda) decision to contest in the upcoming state polls under its own logo.

He said that the purpose of contesting in any election is to be in the administration.


“What do you get if you win a few seats? The purpose is to be the government. There’s no point if you’re not in the administration,” he told reporters during a press at the Sama-Sama hotel here.

On Monday, Muda president Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman announced that his party will be contesting solo in the upcoming state elections.


He said the party will use its own strength to bring about a new political narrative to Malaysia.


The Muar MP also said that the party will adopt a hybrid election campaign method, although most of it will be conducted online.

Earlier today, several Pakatan Harapan (PH) sources reportedly said that Muda is set to position itself as the “third force” in the upcoming state elections.

Prior to that, Muda said it has identified potential candidates based on their strength and potential to contest in the six states set for elections.

Muda deputy president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz said the process was important to identify the states that the party would field candidates, especially in areas with a strong party following, such as Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang.

Muda applied to join the PH coalition prior to last year’s general election but has yet to be accepted as a formal member.

PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said in March that he had been “too busy” to evaluate Muda’s application letter.