The aunties and uncles watching over Muda
MALAYSIANSKINI | Some of the biggest critics of Muda have played semantics over its name since its inception last year.
While Muda is seen as a political party that solely panders to urban youths, a group of retired professionals who call themselves the Aunties and Uncles Brigade are hoping to help the party change that perception.
MALAYSIANSKINI | Some of the biggest critics of Muda have played semantics over its name since its inception last year.
While Muda is seen as a political party that solely panders to urban youths, a group of retired professionals who call themselves the Aunties and Uncles Brigade are hoping to help the party change that perception.
On their Facebook page, their bio reads: “We have had enough of the going-on in Malaysian politics, political games, manoeuvrings, the lies and deceit by politicians trusted by the rakyat.”
Malaysiakini sat down with two of the aunties from the Muda-friendly group for an exclusive interview. Both individuals wished to only be identified by their nicknames, Aunty Mils (above, left) and Aunty AJ.
At first glance, they appear no different than your regular aunties - jovial, ever-friendly and dressed in what appears to be hiking gear.
But beneath that exterior, lies an obvious drive to make Malaysia a better place.
“I think we are just a loose movement. We never registered as an NGO. We are born out of our passion for change in the current political environment.
“I just hate the 'dinosaurs'. I used to support Anwar (Ibrahim), Tun (Mahathir Mohamad) but I think Lim Kit Siang and all this (older generation of leaders should) give way to the new blood.
“Because if you look at Umno Youth, even though they're supposed to be youth, they don't represent the group,” said Aunty Mils, 67.
The grandmother of five added that with the multi-lingual, multi-racial nature of Muda, the party represents “all strata of the society, in the sense that they are not (just) Malays.”
Comprising lawyers, doctors and other professionals who have lived through most of their lives under Umno rule, the duo said they wished for the country to “move forward”.
“Now, you see Tun (Mahathir). He's coming up with this Malay agenda again, I find it sickening. I want to move forward.
“To me, our country belongs to everyone,” said Aunty Mils, referring to Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA), the recently formed Malay-only coalition led by the former prime minister.
Former educator Aunty AJ, 70, acknowledged that some, including herself, had benefited from the pro-bumiputera policies such as the New Economic Policy (NEP) and scholarships from bodies like Mara.
However, she explained that the current state of the nation makes her worried for future generations - which is why she has chosen to get involved with Muda through the brigade.
“What I'm seeing at the moment, I'm worried about my grandchildren’s future. Where is Malaysia headed?” she asked during the interview.
‘Straight shooter’ Syed Saddiq
The Aunties and Uncles Brigade first met up earlier this year in Kuala Lumpur in January - with both Aunties AJ and Mils calling on friends to support Muda president Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman ahead of the Johor election.
“The aunties were very endeared by Syed Saddiq (at the meeting) because - look at him! - he's a very straight guy, high moral compass, intelligent, articulate, he can speak well,” said Aunty Mils, a sentiment which was echoed by Aunty AJ.
Following the Johor state polls, things started moving fast for the group.
The brigade began organising awareness groups for the party and supporting its bazaars - with its group meetings taking on a hybrid model.
Currently, the brigade is a small group of around ten official members. According to Aunty Mils, however, some casual members of the group prefer to keep a low profile due to their work.
“Some of them don’t want to come up. They can provide financial support (and support our bazaars). I think for reasons best known to them, they don't want to be seen because of their work and all that,” she said.
Muda relating to the masses
Muda has also attracted unwanted attention due to the membership of several high-profile figures such as Dian Lee, begging the question of whether the party can weather such criticisms that it may be politically swayed by deep-pocketed members.
Muda information bureau chief of staff Leben Siddharth, who was also present at the interview, explained that they cannot stop anyone who wished to join as party members.
“We cannot stop anyone from being a member. We choose by merit because we cannot change our path. Lee can’t change the fact that her father is a prominent figure.
“She started as a normal member and is working her way through this one, and she has been doing a very good initiative called ‘Bantu-Bantu Malaysia’,” he said.
Given the clear progressive, middle-class leanings of the group, Malaysiakini asked if the aunties had ever run into “roadblocks” communicating their message to the masses.
‘When I went down (during the Johor election), I was a polling/counting agent (PACA) in Tenang. They (Tenang residents) were very friendly and kind to me.
“Of course, they looked at me one kind but they were not hostile. They're quite receptive,” said Aunty Mils.
Muda heads for general election
As parties across the nation gear up for the upcoming general election, current political trends suggest that the opposition has their work cut out for them when the people go to cast their ballot.
In its preparations, it remains unclear how Muda will fare as it takes from the same voter base that Pakatan Harapan parties enjoy - with the coalition seemingly unwilling to give in to the relatively new party.
Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim had indicated on Sept 11 that it is unlikely for the coalition to make way for Muda candidates in seats where there are incumbents from its own component parties.
Muda had, in the Johor state election, secured the Puteri Wangsa state seat. However, its experience during the seat negotiations at the time had created tensions with PKR.
Despite this, the aunties affirmed that they would not be discouraged in their support for Muda even if it performs badly during the general election.
"We will fight more," said Aunty AJ.
Aunty Mils, however, felt that Muda has a long way to go.
"As long as they can help Harapan to wipe out Umno. In my humble opinion, Umno is at its weakest now.
"They have that perception that with their money, they can win. I don't think so. I think it's going to be the same as GE14, especially if the Harapan can sync together," said Aunty Mils.
The aunties are among many other Malaysians fervently striving to change our country for the better. Whoever said that age matters?
Find out more about the Aunties and Uncles Brigade on their Facebook page here.
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