Why reject Pejuang but ask us to campaign, Mukhriz asks PN

August 5, 2023

Why reject Pejuang but ask us to campaign, Mukhriz asks PN

KUALA LUMPUR: Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir is befuddled by Perikatan Nasional’s request that the party join the coalition on its campaign trail in the lead up to the Aug 12 state elections.

In an interview with FMT, Mukhriz said Pejuang leaders were invited to help campaign for PN’s candidates and have even been asked to speak on stage at ceramahs.

“I am puzzled because our application to join PN was rejected. Despite that, we are still being asked to join PN’s election machinery.

“They’ve even asked us to go on stage to campaign for PN’s candidates. It seems they think we still are relevant after all, and can attract Malay voters,” the former Kedah menteri besar said.

However, Mukhriz said Pejuang will not participate in PN’s election campaign.

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He said the party decided to take a neutral approach to the state polls since it will not be contesting for any seats.

“The results of the state elections will not have much impact on Pejuang,” Mukhriz added.

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The former Bersatu deputy president admitted thinking that Pejuang would be welcomed into PN, especially after the Malay Proclamation, championed by his father, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, garnered the support of PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

However, Pejuang’s application, sent in January, was rejected.

“I was extremely disappointed and feel aggrieved by the rejection,” he said, adding that PN had yet to make known its reasons for refusing to admit his party into the coalition.

The former Jerlun MP said his focus now is on rebuilding and strengthening Pejuang, adding that it was a priority after suffering heavy defeats in the Melaka and Johor state elections, as well as in the 15th general election (GE15) last November.

In GE15, all Pejuang candidates, including Mukhriz and its then chairman Mahathir, lost their deposits.

“We realise that Pejuang is still new and small, despite having had prominent leaders like Mahathir,” he said. The former prime minister quit the party in February.

“That is why at our general assembly in January we decided to join a coalition in preparation for the next general election,” he said, adding that negotiations held with Pakatan Harapan (PH) also came to nought.

Given the fluidity of the current political environment, Mukhriz says the party will adopt a “wait-and-see” approach before settling on its future political alignment.

“We are inclined towards uniting Malay political parties but will wait to see what the future holds. Some are saying the PH-led federal government will topple soon, but I am not so sure.”