Malaysian United Democratic Alliance

The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance was formed by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman in September 2020. Previously, Syed Saddiq served as Minister of Youth and Sports in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration. He was the youngest-ever Malaysian politician in a Cabinet post when appointed in 2018 at the age of 25.[4] He is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Muar, and originally a member of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), but his party membership was terminated amid the February 2020 Sheraton Move, along with four other MPs including ex-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.[5] Mahathir later formed the Homeland Fighters' Party (PEJUANG)[6][7] and Syed Saddiq retreat from joining the Mahathir's new party.[8] On 17 September 2020, he formally applied to register his own new party with the current name with Registrar of Societies (RoS).[9] At the time of 2020 political crisis, Malaysian politicians had been fighting for control of parliament, with the PN coalition holding a very thin majority.[4]

MUDA has been sponsored by Syed Saddiq, Amir Abd Hadi, Dr. Tanussha Francis Xavier, Sharizal Denci, Afiqah Zulkifli, Lim Wei Jiet, Luqman Long, Radzi Tajuddin, Tarmizi Anuwar, Dr. Mathen Muniasupran, Mutalib Uthman, Siti Rahayu Baharin and Dr. Teo Lee Ken. Syed Saddiq has stated that MUDA is modeled after two other political parties: La Republique En Marche! of France and the now-defunct Future Forward Party of Thailand.[10] He has also stated that his party will be multi-racial and youth-based, representing "all levels of society, regardless of race, religion or age".[1][2][10] The formation of this party follows a trend of millennial-based political parties in South Asia, such as the Indonesian Solidarity Party in Indonesia and the Future Forward Party in Thailand.[4] MUDA seeks to be disruptive, pro-democracy and based on reform and policy.[11] It targets "middle Malaysia" with promises of "meritocratic, racially inclusive and policy-driven governance", and is also targeting the unregistered electorate.[12]

MUDA's registration was rejected by the RoS on 6 January 2021 via a RoS email which no reason was given for the rejection.[13] On 12 January, MUDA through its 13 pro-tem committee, including Syed Saddiq has seek a court order to quash the decision of Minister of Home Affairs and RoS to register it.[14] Judge Mariana Yahya had set the date 4 February 2021 after hearing arguments from MUDA's lawyers' team the High Court of Malaysia to decide whether to allow MUDA a judicial review against the government decision. The lawyers representing MUDA are former attorney-general Tommy Thomas, Ambiga Sreenevasan and Lim Wei Jiet.[15]

Syed Saddiq claims the Home Affairs Minister Hamzah Zainudin had told him that his party would be registered and approved if he pledged to support the ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition. He also claims that Hamzah had asked him to refrain from voting on government bills he opposed as part of the deal. MUDA also alleged that the rejection was PN government's agenda to prevent it from participating in the next general election.[16][17]

On 4 February, the High Court again dismissed a leave application by MUDA in its challenge to the rejection of its application as a political party.[18] On the same day, MUDA filed a judicial review application,[19] MUDA has questioned the RoS for still doing background checks on the party and not approving its application as a political party albeit after six months on 25 March.[16] MUDA was allowed by the High Court to go ahead with a judicial review against the government's refusal to register it as a political party on 21 September.[20] The High Court, during case management, fixed 14 December to hear the application.[21]The High Court has ordered the Home Affairs Ministry to allow the registration within 14 days on 14 December.[22]

MUDA was finally registered as an official political party amidst much hassles after its registration approval was notified via an email followed by an official letter by the RoS on 23 December 2021.[23] As of 23 December 2021, the party is already listed as active by the RoS website.[24] The successful registration allows the use of the party logo officially to contest future political elections.[25] It was publicly announced only on 29 December 2021[26] as the event coincided with December 2021 Malaysian floods relief operations that involved the new party.[27]

On 29 January 2022, MUDA confirmed its intention to participate in the Johor state election.[28]

On 9 February 2022, DAP, AMANAH and MUDA signed an agreement unveiling the outcomes of their cooperation on seat negotiations by declaring that they will not contest against each other, with MUDA getting 6 seats previously allocated to DAP and AMANAH ranging from Tenang, Bukit Kepong, Parit Raja, Machap, Puteri Wangsa and Bukit Permai. MUDA also clarified that the seat negotiations with PKR are still ongoing to "achieve unity in facing this election"[29] The three parties also said they would combine their election machinery to support all of their candidates as they were about to move on as election strategic partners although MUDA is not part of PH and this is in line with the "big camp" principle to unite all Opposition parties to take on the ruling BN coalition. They also promised to form the Johor state government together if they win in the election. Johor PKR Chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said PKR had offered 3 seats to MUDA and was awaiting a response to the offer.[30]

On 13 March 2022, MUDA won one seat in the first election it contested. MUDA Secretary General Amira Aisya won the Puteri Wangsa seat. President of MUDA Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman described the victory in the seat out of the seven seats contested as the party's first step to continue to gain a foothold in the country's political landscape.[31]

1. MUDA is committed to disrupting the status quo by promoting a political norm that is new and innovative to ensure national governance that is built on efficiency and integrity. MUDA will focus on nation-building based on the following 5 pillars:
   • Economic advancement
   • Employment
   • Education & Health
   • Excellence in Governance
   • Environmental Sustainability
2. MUDA will ensure youth representation in the party's leadership and candidacy.
3. MUDA aims to be a party for all Malaysians. Hence, party membership will be open to all irrespective of their racial, religious and cultural beliefs.
4. MUDA champions respect towards all members of Malaysian society and will uphold the Constitution of Malaysia and Rukun Negara to ensure the advancement of the vision of our nation's founders.
5. MUDA is devoted to building a culture of diversity and inclusivity in the national political landscape. Towards this end, MUDA will prioritise representation from women, indigenous peoples, disabled individuals, students, children and artists.
6. MUDA confirms its commitment to ensuring that the party's leadership is constantly renewed and is not monopolised by recurring individuals. MUDA will guarantee that an individual can only hold the top-tier position for a maximum of 3 terms in the party.
7. MUDA stands firm in its efforts to inculcate a culture of transparency in political funding. MUDA will forward the following stipulations:
   • A donation cap for individuals and corporations
   • An emphasis on digital donations
   • Yearly audits by an accredited firm
8. MUDA will strengthen and refine its party's governance. Refinement will focus on these processes:
   • Membership registration
   • Intra-party voting
   • Electing candidates who possess skill and integrity
   • Efficient organisational structure where members are not segregated into women's wing or veteran's wing.
9. MUDA is devoted to its ambition to reform the mechanics of party politics. MUDA is determined to abolish warlord politics and corruption by developing a system where power is not concentrated in the hands of a select few.
10. MUDA promises that it will not concede to the efforts of any non-MUDA Members of the State Legislative Assembly or Members of Parliament to hop into MUDA.

MUDA currently has a single MP in the Dewan Rakyat.

State	No.	Parliament Constituency	Member	Party
Johor	P146	Muar	Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman		MUDA
Total	Johor (1)

Johor State Legislative Assembly

State	No.	Parliament Constituency	No.	State Constituency	Member	Party
Johor	P158	Tebrau	N41	Puteri Wangsa	Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz		MUDA
Total	Johor (1)