State polls: Muda, PSM ink electoral understanding to work together to bring new brand of politics

PETALING JAYA: With an aim to bring a new brand of politics, Muda and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) have entered into an electoral understanding to face the upcoming state elections, where the two parties will work together and also avoid seat clashes.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) chairman Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj said the two parties are working together to bring about a new brand of politics which would not manipulate the people or ride on fear-mongering and racial issues.

"The mainstream politics that we have now is very toxic for the country. We PSM and Muda will bring a different brand of politics. We don’t want to make a fool out of the people," he said at a joint press conference by Muda and PSM leaders on Saturday (July 15).

"We want to focus on the people’s issue, the Bottom 40 and Middle 40," he added.

"We have also agreed to avoid seat clashes," he added

Calling it a new beginning, Dr Michael hoped that the two parties could work together to bring about clean politics even after the state polls.

Muda chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said the cooperation would not only be limited to avoiding seat clashes but also to pool efforts to win the elections and serve the people.

He said the electoral understanding was centred around five core principles namely the rejection of racial politics, fighting and fending for the majority of the people and underprivileged; democracy, balanced and inclusive development and sustainable environmental development.

"With these five principles, as the President of Muda, I will go to the field to campaign and I look forward to helping friends from PSM," he said.

He said regardless of a victory or loss, there are more similarities compared to differences between the two parties.

"Although political mammoths will see us as a small group, we have high and blazing idealism.

"Our spirit to change Malaysia and build a developed, dignified and high integrity Malaysia is very clear," he said while adding that he hoped they could build a united and prosperous Malaysia together.

Muda had recently announced that it would be entering the fray solo and without one-time ally Pakatan Harapan.

Muda had so far announced four candidates while PSM had announced two.

Syed Saddiq, Dr Michael, Muda secretary-general Amir Hariri Abdul Hadi and PSM deputy chairman S.Arulchelvan also signed the document for cooperation.