Before GE15, I was excited when MUDA was formed by Syed Saddiq. For me then, MUDA and Syed were our hope for a new future.

Although I was not naive to think that things could change overnight if we had 30 young MPs, I was not going to kid myself to real and fast change knowing what I know of Malay politics and its web of deceit in the civil service and in the political scenario.

In this article, I wish to offer some orang tua advice to MUDA in the hope that they would stay out of the state elections and work as “orang baru” in politics to help the seasoned politicians of Pemuda in PH and even Umno.

MUDA may not like this suggestion and could turn off from reading my advice and thoughts, then they would never see the light of day come the next general election.

For me, MUDA has not shown any strength in politics yet.

In GE15, MUDA was generously given several seats, and even with the machinery of PH, MUDA failed.

I think PH was very tolerant and Anwar was compassionate.

Syed Sadiq’a playing victim to the Anwar silence on MUDA’s application will not wash with many of us veterans.

But yet, MUDA does have potential, but I have not seen anything aside from the antics of Syed Saddiq and his Namewee acts and TikToks.

Where is the rest of MUDA? Where is your YouTube and TikToks? Where are young people forums? Where are the workshops with veteran politicians to learn from the best?

I have not seen MUDA in action that will convince me that it is a serious political party.

To start with, let five other persons make statements other than the single handsome hero Syed Saddiq.

Seriously, aside from Syed, I do not know the next ten best young politicians in MUDA.

Take Howard Lee of DAP. This is orang muda and he is everywhere. I see him in social media, in state legislature, in floods, in helping people everywhere.

I have seen how Nurul Izzah grew up. I have seen Fahmi and Nik Nazmi grow in stature.

MUDA should learn from Iswardy Morni, one of the very best young politicians with a huge social media following, including me, an orang tua.

Malaysians want their votes to count, and if your party is ikan bilis, they are not going to do that.

MUDA cannot come blazing in and demand to see Anwar for a place as equal partner.

I would have slammed the door. Anwar merely kept quiet as he has more dignity than me.

When Syed Saddiq was charged with corruption, many like me were willing to part with our money for crowd-funding, but I doubt anyone would do that now.

MUDA is acting like a spoiled brat. If MUDA targets 10% of the state seats with their members selling their assets, MUDA would lose their shirts.

I had warned my close friends who stood as independents not to go against the PH because the Malaysian people are smart and cautious.

Malaysians want their votes to count, and if your party is ikan bilis, they are not going to do that.

Malaysians want a party like a hammer head shark or a Great White.

Now, Malaysians are extremely frightened of the threat of Perikatan Nasional and PAS Green Wave thanks to Hadi Awang and Tun M.

I am more confident that Malaysians will come out overwhelmingly to send Tun M, Hadi Awang and Mahiaddin a clear lesson: We don’t want your kind!!

Where is MUDA? Nowhere in Malaysians’ mind.

Syed Saddiq is a great asset and our future. MUDA is our asset and our future. Forgive me for being blunt, but I have to do that to my children whom I love.

My children have reacted against many of my advice initially but at the painful end, my wisdom prevailed.

I have all the scars to show. I have lived my life and if the young do not wish to pay heed to orang yang sudah makan garam, then so be it.

I am here only to advise and encourage but my method may be harsh when harshness is needed.

The journey of fatherhood is littered with the love-patience-harshness combo.

So MUDA needs to chill. If it goes ahead, not only will the candidates lose their shirts and cars, they will lose the respect of the rakyat forever.

Swallow your pride. Keep it in and work with Anwar and the Big Boys.

Be humble. You in MUDA have not cut your teeth yet. The Pemuda in PH and Umno have.

Go learn from Lokman Nor Adam, Howard Lee, Syefura, Shahredzan and Nurul Izzah.

If you are humble and ready to give your full service, you will have earned our respect, and if Anwar won’t give you any seat in GE16, well…let us orang tua deal with Pak Sheikh. We, the rakyat will have your back, MUDA.

(Prof Dr. Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi is Professor of Architecture at a local university and his writing reflects his own personal opinion entirely.)