A BERSATU leader has objected to Pejuang’s application to join the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, calling it a “desperate, opportunistic and unprincipled” move to maintain the party’s political clout after its dismal performance in the 15th general election (GE15).
All of Pejuang’s candidates, including Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and party founder and former chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
In a separate Facebook post, Faiz also said he sent a message to Mukhriz before GE15 to discuss possibilities of Pejuang forming an alliance with PN to face Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional.
However, Faiz said Mukhriz’s response infuriated him as the former Jerlun MP had sarcastically responded: “Only now you’re thinking about your ego”.
Faiz had also attached a screenshot of his conversation with Mukhriz in his posting.
Earlier today, Mukhriz said he had written to PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang and Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau about Pejuang being a component member of PN.
“The decision to make the application [to join PN] was agreed upon by Pejuang’s executive council two days ago after reviewing all other options of coalitions or political cooperation,” he said in a statement.
He further said that the party’s executive council deemed an electoral pact “insufficient” and found that it would be “more advantageous” for all parties if Pejuang were to join PN and contest in upcoming elections under the coalition’s banner.
“The pact between Pejuang and PN will not only be limited to the upcoming state elections [slated to take place this year], but also for long-term [cooperation],” Mukhriz noted.
“Pejuang joining PN will ensure that the Malay votes will not be broken during the state elections.” – March 2, 2023
