The recent wedding of Muda’s acting president, Amira Aisya Abd Aziz, to Luqman Long was met with an outpouring of joy. Announced on Muda’s official Instagram, the news was warmly received by supporters. Among the guests was former Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who served as one of Luqman’s best men. In a lighthearted moment, Muda committee member Nurainie Haziqah Shafii shared a video of Syed Saddiq humorously lamenting that he was the last to know about the couple’s relationship. Syed Saddiq later posted a heartfelt video from the akad nikah ceremony, wishing the couple happiness “till Jannah.” 
Amid this celebration, however, lies an uncomfortable silence surrounding Muda’s political future, particularly their absence from the recent Mahkota by-election in Johor. While Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) battled it out in a two-way race, Muda’s decision to sit on the sidelines was both conspicuous and perplexing. The party, which has prided itself as a youth-driven force for change, has consistently avoided by-elections since last year’s state polls—raising doubts about its long-term political aspirations.
This avoidance is especially puzzling given Muda’s roots in Johor, where its two elected MPs—Syed Saddiq in Muar and Amira Aisya in Puteri Wangsa—represent the youth-driven party. With the Mahkota by-election taking place so close to home, Muda’s silence has been glaring. Instead of addressing this, the party’s social media channels have focused on promoting Muda Fest, an upcoming event on October 19, offering little explanation for their political retreat.
Muda’s current predicament can be traced back to November of last year, when Syed Saddiq was convicted of criminal breach of trust and subsequently stepped down as party president. Amira Aisya assumed the role of acting president, but Syed Saddiq remains the party’s central figure, even if unofficially. While his resignation was initially praised as a principled move, Muda’s hesitance to clarify its leadership raises concerns about their commitment to true accountability.
Muda once symbolized a fresh, disruptive force in Malaysian politics—capable of challenging the established order and engaging the country’s youth in governance. Their formation rattled the political elite, with both Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional viewing them as a potential threat. Despite resistance from the Perikatan Nasional-led government, it took a court ruling to secure Muda’s official registration. However, their once-promising future is now marred by hesitation, as they increasingly shy away from electoral contests.
Syed Saddiq’s recent criticisms of political promises versus actions may resonate with some Malaysians. However, if he truly intends to uphold principled politics, his distancing from the bloc that supported him during past elections could necessitate his resignation and the seeking of a fresh mandate. Otherwise, his actions may appear opportunistic amidst Harapan’s current struggles.
Furthermore, Syed Saddiq’s political journey, including his affiliations with Bersatu and Pejuang, raises questions. If his primary aim is fighting corruption, why has he not addressed the issues from Mahathir’s 22 years in government and the subsequent 22 months in power—periods marked by patronage politics and allegations of court system manipulation? Instead, Syed Saddiq has expressed "great respect" for Mahathir. His own controversies, particularly surrounding the Youth Power Club, also remain unresolved, with a court ruling looming on November 9..
For too long, fear has stifled Malaysia’s youth, discouraging them from political participation. Muda promised to break that cycle. But to fulfill that promise, they must engage in the political process—not by avoiding elections, but by contesting them. The greatest threat to Muda is not losing elections, but the slow erosion of a party that never fully tried.
The time for Muda to act is now. If they continue to avoid the electoral arena, they risk fading into irrelevance—a far worse fate than any election loss.
This avoidance is especially puzzling given Muda’s roots in Johor, where its two elected MPs—Syed Saddiq in Muar and Amira Aisya in Puteri Wangsa—represent the youth-driven party. With the Mahkota by-election taking place so close to home, Muda’s silence has been glaring. Instead of addressing this, the party’s social media channels have focused on promoting Muda Fest, an upcoming event on October 19, offering little explanation for their political retreat.
Muda’s current predicament can be traced back to November of last year, when Syed Saddiq was convicted of criminal breach of trust and subsequently stepped down as party president. Amira Aisya assumed the role of acting president, but Syed Saddiq remains the party’s central figure, even if unofficially. While his resignation was initially praised as a principled move, Muda’s hesitance to clarify its leadership raises concerns about their commitment to true accountability.
Muda once symbolized a fresh, disruptive force in Malaysian politics—capable of challenging the established order and engaging the country’s youth in governance. Their formation rattled the political elite, with both Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional viewing them as a potential threat. Despite resistance from the Perikatan Nasional-led government, it took a court ruling to secure Muda’s official registration. However, their once-promising future is now marred by hesitation, as they increasingly shy away from electoral contests.
Syed Saddiq’s recent criticisms of political promises versus actions may resonate with some Malaysians. However, if he truly intends to uphold principled politics, his distancing from the bloc that supported him during past elections could necessitate his resignation and the seeking of a fresh mandate. Otherwise, his actions may appear opportunistic amidst Harapan’s current struggles.
For too long, fear has stifled Malaysia’s youth, discouraging them from political participation. Muda promised to break that cycle. But to fulfill that promise, they must engage in the political process—not by avoiding elections, but by contesting them. The greatest threat to Muda is not losing elections, but the slow erosion of a party that never fully tried.
The time for Muda to act is now. If they continue to avoid the electoral arena, they risk fading into irrelevance—a far worse fate than any election loss.
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