Despite Dr M's resistance, Pejuang keeps door open for Bersatu

 

Pejuang is still open to negotiating with any political party on cooperation for the 15th general election, including with its rival Bersatu.

This is according to Pejuang deputy president Marzuki Yahya when contacted today, after Bersatu announced it has mandated party president Muhyiddin Yassin to explore cooperation with political parties outside Perikatan Nasional.

"For the sake of defending the interests and position of the Malays, and towards making Malaysia clean from corruption and abuse of power which has affected our economy and burdened the rakyat, Pejuang is always open to negotiate with anyone," he told Malaysiakini in a text message.

"With anyone," Marzuki added when asked specifically if Pejuang's open-door policy includes Bersatu.

Pejuang deputy president Marzuki Yahya

Earlier today, Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin issued a statement announcing that the party's supreme council had given its full mandate to the Bersatu political bureau chaired by Muhyiddin to discuss strategies for GE15 with other parties in the country.

The announcement came amidst speculations that Muhyiddin was actively seeking support from parties outside its PN coalition for a bid to become a prime minister again.

Marzuki's statement that Pejuang's doors were still open for discussion with Bersatu was of a different tone from its chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who seemed to be resistant to the idea.

However, when asked about this, Marzuki denied that he was contradicting Mahathir, saying the Pejuang chairperson had indicated before this that the party could work with anyone for the sake of the Malays' interests.

Mahathir had on April 1 revealed that Muhyiddin had come to meet him, and claimed that Muhyiddin had sought his support to become prime minister once again.

The Pejuang founder had said then that the party had not made any decision on the matter, but hinted that he was against it. He also described Muhyiddin as a "backstabber" for causing the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government in 2020.

Despite Mahathir's reluctance, his son Mukhriz, who is also Pejuang president, had also indicated that the party would be willing to leave the past behind and work with Bersatu or other opposition parties.- Mkini