Muhyiddin blocking Pejuang but it may not pay off, says Dr M

 

Dr Mahathir Mohamed claims Muhyiddin Yassin is blocking the registration of Pejuang but believes that the tactic could backfire.

PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has poured scorn on his successor Muhyiddin Yassin’s plans, claiming that he is attempting to confuse opposition voters by not registering parties.

However, Mahathir said, it doesn’t guarantee that Muhyiddin could hold on to power.

In a statement on his blog, Chedet, the Langkawi MP accused Muhyiddin of having a hand in blocking his party Pejuang and Muda from being registered with the Registrar of Societies in a bid to scuttle the opposition in the next general election (GE15).

“If Pejuang is not registered, then it won’t be able to contest as a party. Perhaps Pejuang’s candidates have to contest as independent candidates.

“If this is the case, independent candidates will not be able to use the Pejuang symbol and flag. This will confuse voters.”

Alternatively, he said, they could contest under a different party’s banner as PPBM did in GE14, when their registration was similarly contested at a time when Najib Razak was prime minister.

Its members contested under the PKR banner, but Mahathir, who was PPBM chairman then, was doubtful that PKR would lend support to Pejuang this time around.

However, the former prime minister warned Muhyiddin that Najib’s similar attempt to block PPBM was ultimately unsuccessful, as Pakatan Harapan was still able to muster the necessary support.

Even without registration, Mahathir said his party could still play kingmakers once polls close.

“Pejuang cannot possibly form the government, but the support of Pejuang will determine which coalition will be the government.

“Pejuang will lend support only if Pejuang’s conditions are accepted.” - FMT