JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) has brushed off Umno information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan’s remarks about its political stand.

       Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said he wanted to remind Shahril Sufian Hamdan that it was the political frogs that have caused the downfall of several state governments and there was no end in sight for this kind of behaviour.

       He added that Muda rejects someone who has been given the mandate by the rakyat, whether in parliamentary or state seats, yet chose to jump parties.

       “This is why from the start, Muda has been pushing for anti-hopping laws as soon as possible to combat the ‘political frogs’.

       “At the same time, Muda accepts the membership of those from various backgrounds: former leaders from PAS and Umno, even the Umno information chief’s good friend Zaidel Baharuddin, as well as friends from other parties.

       “However, 92% of Muda’s members are those who have never joined any political parties.

       “This diversity in race, age and political background will build strength, service-based politics (politik khidmat), policy-based politics (politik dasar) and value-based politics (politik nilai) in Malaysia,” he told reporters after announcing Muda’s candidate for Puteri Wangsa here on Monday (Feb 15) night.

       He was commenting on Shahril Sufian’s remarks on a news portal questioning Muda’s promise of clean politics and rejection of political frogs yet the party had appointed Nurainee Haziqah Shafii as a Muda central committee member.

       Nurainee was a former Wanita PKR exco member in 2018 and former Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Srikandi member in 2021.

       Asked whether he would be contesting in a state seat in the upcoming Johor polls, the Muar MP did not give a definite answer.

       “When Muda was formed, it was not just to give the opportunity to someone who has already been chosen by the people of Muar but to give opportunities to other more influential and visionary candidates.

       “Our priority is to find new talents who, before this, have never been given a chance. This is why the first candidate announced by Muda is Amira Aisya Abd Aziz for the Puteri Wangsa seat,” he said, remaining mum about the party’s other candidates.

       He said the candidates would be announced when the time comes.

       The 27-year-old Amira Aisya is also Muda’s secretary-general.

       Johor will go to the polls on March 12 following the nomination date on Feb 26.