Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said the invitation extended by Muda deputy president Zaidel Baharuddin to Rafizi could be construed as an honest admission of the party’s major weakness — a lack of influential bigwigs.

Zaharuddin said, apart from lacking icons, Muda appears to lack a clear direction, and fighting spirit.

“It looks like Muda is trying to ride on Rafizi’s coattails, as he is a leader who is synonymous with political ideas and courage to go against the flow,” he told FMT.

During a recent podcast, Zaidel said Muda was open to working with Rafizi in some way, although both sides have yet to establish a formal relationship.

He said that may include Rafizi contesting in the next general election on a Muda ticket, or offering advice on the party’s political strategy.

Zaidel said Muda was willing to put aside past differences and apprehensions to learn from the former PKR deputy president.

In March, Muda’s most prominent figure, founding president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, opted not to take part in the party elections.

The Muar MP has been succeeded at the party’s helm by Puteri Wangsa assemblyman Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, Muda’s only other elected representative.

Muda was formerly a Pakatan Harapan ally and contested in the general and state elections under the PH banner through electoral pacts. However, it subsequently crossed the aisle to join the opposition bloc.

Muda being rational, pragmatic

Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) viewed Muda’s overtures to Rafizi as a pragmatic and rational move, aimed at learning from the former economy minister’s experiences and capabilities.

She said Muda was showing respect for Rafizi’s expertise, particularly his political approach and strategies, although he is often mocked by detractors as being no more than a “king of formulas”.

“At the same time, Muda may be trying to get the two-term Pandan MP to join them because he will clearly add value to the party,” she added.