KUCHING: The departure of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) from the Unity government is unlikely to have a significant impact on the ruling coalition, according to James Chin.
The political analyst pointed out that Muda is essentially a one-person party, and its exit is more symbolic than substantial.
Chin, a professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania, Australia, explained that Muda’s exit, while noteworthy in the media, is unlikely to affect the Unity government’s stability.
He noted that Muda has announced its intention to support the government on issues it deems as good.
“So it does not have an impact on the Unity government. The only impact is through the mass media. In reality, there is no impact. It is a one-person show,” Chin told New Sarawak Tribune.
His comments were in response to Muda’s decision to withdraw its support from the Unity government.
Meanwhile, another political analyst, Dr Lee Kuok Tiung, suggested that Muda’s action may have been triggered by developments related to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin’s court cases.
Throughout the recently concluded state elections in Peninsular Malaysia, Muda criticised broken promises and remained critical of actions taken by Pakatan Harapan (PH) during the 15th general election (GE15) campaign.
“You can see that Muda remains with its stance regarding the cases played by PH during the GE15 campaign. Even so, some may see Muda as too idealistic,” said Lee.
On Sunday (Sept 10), Muda, led by its president and Muar MP, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, withdrew from the Unity government due to dissatisfaction with the abrupt halt of Zahid Hamidi’s trial on corruption charges.
Syed Saddiq announced that his party, which holds one seat in the Dewan Rakyat, would form a “third force” in the opposition bloc to serve as “the voice of the rakyat” and provide checks and balances.
