Muda leadership comprising then-president Syed Saddiq (centre), current acting president Amira Aisya (second from left) and Amir Hariri Abdul Hadi (second from right) at a press conference after Syed Saddiq was convicted of money laundering and misappropriation of funds in November last year. – February 17, 2024
What is fuelling Muda’s grassroots members’ exodus?
Resigned members demand party committee to disclose 2021 flood funding audit report, among others
What is fuelling Muda’s grassroots members’ exodus?
Resigned members demand party committee to disclose 2021 flood funding audit report, among others
KUALA LUMPUR – Muda has lost four key grassroots leaders this week, raising questions about a slew of possible internal issues faced by the party.
Those who have called it quits this week told Scoop that they left because the party refuses to disclose the audit report of the funds raised for the flood relief efforts in December 2021, among other leadership issues.
Vipraharan Balan, 37, the ex-treasurer of Kapar Muda, said one of the main reasons for his resignation is that the central executive committee (CEC) had not been transparent on the audit report.
Muda is seeing a mass departure from its members, with four key grassroots leader leaving this week, citing lack of transparency, leadership issues, and others. – February 17, 2024
“It has been three years since the major flash flood incident struck Taman Sri Muda, and several other places, but the central leadership has repeatedly delayed the disclosure of the report,” he told Scoop when contacted.
“We (the Muda members) have been patient for too long, but CEC kept delaying (the disclosure of the audit report).”
Vipraharan said that he gave the CEC an ultimatum of two weeks to prepare for the auditing, which was purportedly passed to Baker Tilly Malaysia for auditing.
He threatened to file reports with the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and Registrar of Societies Malaysia (ROS) if the committee failed to meet the deadline.
Scoop has contacted Amira Aisya Abd Aziz, the current active president of Muda regarding the matter, but has yet to receive a response.
Vipraharan said that when he questioned the CEC on the matter, Amira told the members that the party could not control the funding they received for the 2021 flash flood relief programme.
He said that he found the response “irresponsible” and “unacceptable”.
“She (Amira) said that the party couldn’t control the money used (from the crowdfunding), and the receipts for things bought for the flood relief programme were misplaced.
“Later, they were informed that those things (such as water jets) were sold to other companies.
“How can they sell them off? Those things were bought with the funding. It was the people’s money. They (the committee) can’t mismanage the money.
“It (the funding) would be around RM1 to 2 million, so we will be going to MACC if they don’t give a clear explanation on this,” he said.
Vipraharan also said that the party is allegedly being controlled by a group of friends who hold positions in the CEC.
“A group of friends on CEC are controlling the party now. They are holding the posts through selections and not through elections.
“An internal election should be held, so the deserving members will have the power to run the party better,” he said, adding that the grassroots’ hard work is not appreciated in Muda.
He expressed his disappointment in Muda as the party promoted equal rights, regardless of race and religion, as well as progressive policies.
However, he said that the party did not uphold its principles.
Adding to the series of resignations, netizens highlighted the resignation of grassroots members such as Amer Abdullah, who was the vice president of Kedah Muda.
Earlier, Muda’s central technology bureau head, Khairi Zulfadhli Abu Bakar, was suspended from the party with no explanation following a CEC meeting on February 2.
An ‘incompetent’ leadership?
Echoing Vipraharan’s assertions, Thinesh Raj Parantaman, 39, who recently resigned from his Kapar Muda vice president post, said that he is dissatisfied with the current state of the party.
Thinesh described the leadership of Amira, who is the Puteri Wangsa state assemblywoman, being filled with “incompetence”, adding that she is not capable of leading the party.
“During (former party president) Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s presidency in Muda, things were under control. Whatever the issue, he will find a solution for it,” he said when contacted.
“Amira is not a capable leader, as she will discuss with her inner circle and make decisions. I am not satisfied with the current leadership.”
Recently, Amira appeared at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex to support Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid, the wife of the former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, who claimed trial to allegations of failing to declare her assets to the MACC, drawing criticisms from party members such as Thinesh.
“It has been three years since the major flash flood incident struck Taman Sri Muda, and several other places, but the central leadership has repeatedly delayed the disclosure of the report,” he told Scoop when contacted.
“We (the Muda members) have been patient for too long, but CEC kept delaying (the disclosure of the audit report).”
Vipraharan said that he gave the CEC an ultimatum of two weeks to prepare for the auditing, which was purportedly passed to Baker Tilly Malaysia for auditing.
He threatened to file reports with the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and Registrar of Societies Malaysia (ROS) if the committee failed to meet the deadline.
Scoop has contacted Amira Aisya Abd Aziz, the current active president of Muda regarding the matter, but has yet to receive a response.
Vipraharan said that when he questioned the CEC on the matter, Amira told the members that the party could not control the funding they received for the 2021 flash flood relief programme.
He said that he found the response “irresponsible” and “unacceptable”.
“She (Amira) said that the party couldn’t control the money used (from the crowdfunding), and the receipts for things bought for the flood relief programme were misplaced.
“Later, they were informed that those things (such as water jets) were sold to other companies.
“How can they sell them off? Those things were bought with the funding. It was the people’s money. They (the committee) can’t mismanage the money.
“It (the funding) would be around RM1 to 2 million, so we will be going to MACC if they don’t give a clear explanation on this,” he said.
Vipraharan also said that the party is allegedly being controlled by a group of friends who hold positions in the CEC.
“A group of friends on CEC are controlling the party now. They are holding the posts through selections and not through elections.
“An internal election should be held, so the deserving members will have the power to run the party better,” he said, adding that the grassroots’ hard work is not appreciated in Muda.
He expressed his disappointment in Muda as the party promoted equal rights, regardless of race and religion, as well as progressive policies.
However, he said that the party did not uphold its principles.
Adding to the series of resignations, netizens highlighted the resignation of grassroots members such as Amer Abdullah, who was the vice president of Kedah Muda.
Earlier, Muda’s central technology bureau head, Khairi Zulfadhli Abu Bakar, was suspended from the party with no explanation following a CEC meeting on February 2.
An ‘incompetent’ leadership?
Echoing Vipraharan’s assertions, Thinesh Raj Parantaman, 39, who recently resigned from his Kapar Muda vice president post, said that he is dissatisfied with the current state of the party.
Thinesh described the leadership of Amira, who is the Puteri Wangsa state assemblywoman, being filled with “incompetence”, adding that she is not capable of leading the party.
“During (former party president) Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s presidency in Muda, things were under control. Whatever the issue, he will find a solution for it,” he said when contacted.
“Amira is not a capable leader, as she will discuss with her inner circle and make decisions. I am not satisfied with the current leadership.”
Recently, Amira appeared at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex to support Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid, the wife of the former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, who claimed trial to allegations of failing to declare her assets to the MACC, drawing criticisms from party members such as Thinesh.
Vipraharan Balan,ex-treasurer of Kapar Muda, has said that acting president Amira Aisya’s (pic) response was ‘irresponsible’ and ‘unacceptable’ when asked to disclose the audit report of the December 2021 flood crowdfunding funds. – Azim Rahman/Scoop pic, February 17, 2024
Muda downfall on the horizon?
Chrysitian Teh, 36, the former economy bureau head of Sg Buloh Muda, said that the lack of transparency was one of Muda’s biggest weaknesses.
He said that the party should avoid keeping its members’ misdeeds under wraps to better serve the people.
On Muda’s current strength, Teh said that the party had lost its influence even before Syed Saddiq’s conviction on money laundering and misappropriation of funds.
“The party has lost all of its original values, and I do not see it adding any more values in today’s political landscape,” he said.
Muda downfall on the horizon?
Chrysitian Teh, 36, the former economy bureau head of Sg Buloh Muda, said that the lack of transparency was one of Muda’s biggest weaknesses.
He said that the party should avoid keeping its members’ misdeeds under wraps to better serve the people.
On Muda’s current strength, Teh said that the party had lost its influence even before Syed Saddiq’s conviction on money laundering and misappropriation of funds.
“The party has lost all of its original values, and I do not see it adding any more values in today’s political landscape,” he said.
Thinesh Raj Parantaman, former Kapar Muda vice president, has said that Syed Saddiq’s (pic) presidency in Muda brought things under control, unlike the current situation. – Azim Rahman/Scoop pic, February 17, 2024
Naveena Nadarajah, 25, the former chief of Kapar Muda, said she joined the party because she believed Muda would give equal opportunity for all races to participate in politics.
However, she said Indian members who worked on the ground were rarely given chances to run for general or state elections.
Naveena, who has left the party, said it was difficult to convey this concern to the party president as there were ‘biased’ teams that hindered the matter.
“The party is not as strong as it was in 2022. Many members have resigned due to the intolerable things that happen within the party,” she said.
“This party will not have a direction no matter who the next president will be.” – February 17, 2024
Naveena Nadarajah, 25, the former chief of Kapar Muda, said she joined the party because she believed Muda would give equal opportunity for all races to participate in politics.
However, she said Indian members who worked on the ground were rarely given chances to run for general or state elections.
Naveena, who has left the party, said it was difficult to convey this concern to the party president as there were ‘biased’ teams that hindered the matter.
“The party is not as strong as it was in 2022. Many members have resigned due to the intolerable things that happen within the party,” she said.
“This party will not have a direction no matter who the next president will be.” – February 17, 2024
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