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 members of parliament including ex-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.[5] Mahathir later formed the Homeland Fighters' Party (PEJUANG)[6][7] and Syed Saddiq was expected to be part of it too but he later confirmed that he is not joining the Mahathir's new party.[8] On 17 September 2020, he formally applied to register his own new party with the current name.[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 Abdul 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 Registrar of Societies (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]

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.[17] On the same day, MUDA filed a judicial review application,[18] 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.[19] The High Court, during case management, fixed 14 December to hear the application.[20]The High Court has ordered the Home Affairs Ministry to allow the registration within 14 days on 14 December.[21]

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)