Pejuang willing to contest GE15 as part of coalition

 

Editor's note: An earlier version used quotes from a Sinar Harian article. This has been changed after a review of the video of Sinar's interview with Mukhriz Mahathir.

Pejuang is willing to contest the next general election as part of a coalition, said pro-tem president Mukhriz Mahathir.

This is as Pejuang has yet to be approved by the Registrar of Societies.

"There are several possibilities. We are open to ensuring that we enter the general election as part of a formal coalition.

"We will not contest as independents. So it is best (for Pejuang) to be part of a political party," Mukhriz said in a Sinar Harian forum last night.

He said this when asked whether Pejuang could contest under Warisan's ticket, if the Sabah party expands to the Peninsula.

The Jerlun MP said Pejuang had several options which they are weighing.

If Pejuang contests under a different party's ticket, this would be a repeat of the 2018 general election when Mukhriz, his father Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and others who were then part of Bersatu contested under the PKR logo.

This was as both Bersatu and Pakatan Harapan had yet to be registered then.

Originally when Mahathir announced Pejuang's formation - he said it would be an independent force that could act as a kingmaker.

However, Mukhriz said Pejuang had to be realistic about going into the 15th general election.

"We have to self reflect... we had ambitions that were too great when we could not achieve them.

"Contesting alone will be difficult, but a decision or approach will be put in place before GE15," he added.

There are currently two separate efforts to unify the opposition.

One is led by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, who wants Harapan to be the umbrella group.

Meanwhile, Warisan president Shafie Apdal is pressing for a leadership change in the opposition, which appears to have some traction even within Harapan. - Mkini