In a surprising turn of events following the 2023 State Elections, the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) has been left grappling with disappointment as their bid to establish a formidable ‘third force’ yielded dismal results. Despite the electoral landscape remaining largely unaltered in the six participating states, the spotlight is on MUDA’s lackluster performance. All 20 of its candidates, vying to make their mark, found themselves on the losing side in their respective constituencies.
A particularly distressing outcome for MUDA was the unanimous inability of their candidates to muster significant voter support, leading to the forfeiture of their election deposits.
In adherence to electoral regulations, each candidate was obligated to submit a RM5,000 deposit to the Election Commission in order to participate in the State Election. Reclaiming the deposit hinged on securing a minimum of 1/8 or 12.5% of the total votes cast.
Among the noteworthy MUDA candidates who faced defeat in the 2023 State Elections was the party’s secretary-general, Amir Hariri Abd Hadi. His campaign in Seri Serdang only garnered a meager 1,834 votes, contributing to the overall setback.
The situation grew bleaker as MUDA’s information chief, Loqman Long, received a mere 376 votes in the N14 Bandar constituency of Terengganu. Another contender, Viky Harikrishnan, faced a similar fate, tallying only 253 votes in the Perai seat contest in Penang.
Adding to the list of disappointments was Melanie Ting Yi-Hlin, aged 23, the youngest candidate in PRN 2023. Her aspirations fell short with a modest reception of 1,462 votes in the Bukit Antarabangsa constituency. Similarly, R. Thanusha, another notable MUDA candidate, garnered only 2,357 votes in Sentosa.
As the dust settles on PRN 2023, MUDA’s resounding defeat raises pertinent questions about the party’s strategies, appeal, and resonance among voters. The resolute rejection of their candidates underscores the challenges of establishing a credible ‘third force’ in the complex landscape of Malaysian politics. While the state governments maintain their pre-election composition, MUDA faces an uphill battle to reevaluate, reengage, and regain the trust of the electorate in future endeavors.