Observer: 'Langkah Muar' only to gain sympathy, no notable funds raised

Political analysts have viewed the run by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman as merely garnering sympathy and limited funds from the public.

Beyond that, analysts said, there is no significant impact, especially in pressuring the government to provide equal allocations to opposition MPs.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisommudin Bakar said the government indeed wants assurances from the opposition for political stability and their acceptance of the legitimacy of this government until the 16th general election.

“This is similar to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Transformation and Political Stability between Putrajaya and Pakatan Harapan during the administration of Ismail Sabri Yaakob,” he told Malaysiakini.

At the same time, Hisommudin said Syed Saddiq’s political action successfully highlighted the government’s discrimination against opposition representatives.

“This will show that it is the government’s discrimination that forces opposition MPs to seek public donations to fund the needs of their constituents,” he said.

Drawing public attention

On July 1, Syed Saddiq completed a 200km run from Muar to outside the parliament building at around 9.30am to draw public attention to the issue of allocations for opposition representatives.

Syed Saddiq’s arrival outside parliament was greeted by Muda supporters and opposition MPs.

Through the initiative called Langkah Muar (Muar Move), he managed to raise RM160,000 in donations.

Of the donations received, Syed Saddiq said more than 2,000 Malaysians contributed.

“It wasn’t just online donations. While I was running, many stopped to give RM20, RM50, RM100, even RM1. It’s extraordinary because they’ve never met me in person,” he said.

An academic at the Department of Political Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Lau Zhe Wei, stated that the donations given to Syed Saddiq prove that Malaysians are indeed compassionate.

“People have seen his determination and hard work sweating for the funds. That’s why they contributed,” he said.

However, Lau expressed that public sympathy is not enough to translate into support for Syed Saddiq or the Muda party through votes.

“When it comes to voting, there are many political considerations people will take into account.

“For example, some see Muda’s demands as valid. However, voting for a Harapan candidate aligns better with their interests,” he said.

‘Something new’

Senior lecturer at the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Azmil Tayeb praised Syed Saddiq’s political move, which he sees as consistently highlighting the importance of prioritising health.

“I hope other politicians will follow Syed Saddiq’s lead.

“He has long promoted a healthy lifestyle, and this run is part of that campaign,” he said.

However, a political analyst from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jamaie Hamil, stated that Syed Saddiq must accept the reality that it is normal for the opposition not to receive funds from the government.

“This is the political culture in Malaysia. Voters must consider this, if they vote for an opposition candidate, funds will indeed not be forthcoming,” he said.

Senior lecturer at the Centre for Media and Information Warfare Studies, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin, was of the view that Syed Saddiq’s initiative is something new in politics.

“What’s more important is to let the people of Muar evaluate whether Syed Saddiq’s run was worthwhile,” he added.

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