Sabah Muda has dismissed predictions that the party will struggle to make headway in the upcoming state elections, saying that its operations go beyond social media.
Responding to FMT’s report quoting two political analysts who suggested Muda’s reliance on social media without grassroots support could hinder its chances in the polls, the state chapter said it had been actively conducting fieldwork and community programmes targeting young urban voters.
“We take a creative approach to ground work, using digital platforms effectively and running targeted programmes that build youth capacity and strengthen our presence in urban areas,” it said in a statement.
Sabah Muda added that creativity and operational efficiency are not weaknesses but strengths of the party.
“We’re building our grassroots presence gradually, honestly and independently, without riding on the popularity of any scandal-tainted political figure,” it said.
While it respected the political analysts’ opinions, Sabah Muda said it was not seeking approval, and that its mission is to challenge, not uphold, traditional politics.
“We thank everyone for their concern, but let Sabahans decide for themselves,” it added.
On Sunday, Muda’s Sabah chief Faezrah Rizalman reportedly said that the party was planning to contest up to 10 seats in the state elections.
She said Muda would focus on urban seats and campaign online, as it only had about 5,000 members.
In the 2022 general election, Muda’s sole candidate in Sabah, Shahrizal Denci, was defeated in a six-cornered contest for the Kota Marudu parliamentary seat, securing only 3,225 votes.
