For the first time since PKR president and PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim became prime minister, PH and PH-allied MPs are speaking up. Up to now, former vocal PH MPs have kept their thoughts to themselves, but now they have begun asking the Anwar government questions.

Just recently, PKR’s Subang MP Wong Chen, Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung and Selayang MP William Leong Jee Keen urged the government to consider declassifying PJD Link’s concession agreement from the Official Secrets Act (OSA) 1972.

They — rightly — could not see the reason for secrecy, as a toll highway agreement does not involve trade secrets or intellectual property or in some way exposes a national threat. These are the three considerations to place an issue under the OSA.

An answer is still forthcoming and until the people get an answer, one can only conclude that whatever the government considers a “secret” has little or no benefit to the people. If it did, the government would have loudly proclaimed it!

Nevertheless, these MPs must be credited for doing their job and querying their PM even if they belong to the latter’s party and may have to face the consequences!

They understand the principle that an MP’s loyalty is first to his/her constituents. This must come first even if it goes against their PM. In fact, especially if their leaders’ actions need to be questioned!

Likewise, with Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who is the president of Muda, which is a party in the incumbent unity government. He broke the silence on his side by raising the littoral combat ship (LCS) scandal in the ongoing session of Parliament.

Syed Saddiq told Parliament that he had submitted a motion to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul to discuss the LCS scandal in detail but that it was rejected because the issue was “not a matter of public interest” and “not urgent”. He has asked the Speaker to reconsider the decision.

The Speaker explained that his reasons for rejecting the MP’s request were that they did not fulfill standing orders.

The point, however, is that no other MP raised the issue especially when the Anwar government had increased the cost while the number of ships to deliver was reduced. This is an issue of national importance as it involves taxpayers’ money and was vehemently criticised by PH MPs, including Anwar, and yet, it is not allowed for debate?

Strange! But kudos to Syed Saddiq for raising the issue. Hopefully, more MPs will follow suit and more such issues will be heard in Parliament.

The objective is not to criticise Anwar for the sake of criticising but to raise issues of concern for the people and one or two do it occasionally, but more MPs should be doing it.

Raising the LCS scandal in Parliament may work well in Muda’s favour. It is an issue that would resonate with urban voters, especially the youth, and win support for Muda aspirants who want a shot at becoming assemblypersons and take part in the coming state elections.

Urban voters, Malays and non-Malays, especially in Selangor and Negri Sembilan, disappointed by PH, may want an alternative voice to represent them. Muda may be that choice. Muda’s appeal to urban youths should be galvanized with public issues such as the LCS scandal.

If it intends to get support from disgruntled PH supporters and those who didn’t vote in the previous election, Muda needs to rethink its alliance with PH. Muda needs to know if it is willing to continue backing Anwar knowing fully well that means backing the powerful forces behind him. If by backing Anwar, it would be difficult for Muda to move forward in Anwar’s unity government, then, it may be better for Muda to go independent.

If Muda wins enough seats it might end up as the kingmaker! It should deploy a strategy of alienating neither PH nor the opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) and contest seats where neither is likely to win.

PN parties Bersatu and PAS may not be able to relate with the urban Malays or non-Malay voters as well as they can in the conservative north. The only party allied with PN that might be able to resonate with urban voters is Pejuang — if it drops race-bashing and if it has been able to win some more grassroots support.

Urban voters need another platform to freely express their concerns. Muda may be poised to fill that vacuum now. It may lose all the seats it contests but, then, again it might win a few!