GERAKAN Tanah Air (GTA) is prepared to contest in the 15th General Elections (GE15), whether it is held soon or otherwise, said its chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The former prime minister added that the GTA will ensure “victory” by getting sufficient seats to enable the coalition to form the next Government.
“We are confident,” he said during a media conference after opening this year’s national assembly by GTA member Berjasa today.
“Whether (GE15 is held) early or late, we are ready to contest. We want to stand in sufficient areas to form the Government.”
Even if the coalition does not win more than 50% of the vote share, it would still be the largest victorious party, Mahathir explained.
“Then, we would try to form (an) alliance with other parties so that we would attain more than 50% to be the Government,” the Langkawi MP said.
On Aug 4, Mahathir announced the setting up of GTA, a coalition to empower the Malays, especially in the field of economy, and that it would field candidates in 120 constituencies in Peninsular Malaysia, particularly in Malay-majority seats.
GTA is made up of four parties, namely Pejuang, Berjasa, Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) and Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (Iman).
“No GE15 soon because Gov’t not ready”
Asked whether it is suitable to hold GE15 this year, Mahathir said he is of the view that the polls would not be held this year as the Government is “not ready”.
He said he does not expect for GE15 to be called before Budget 2023 is tabled in October, “but I think they cannot have it too early because they are also not prepared.
“So the Government (parties are) trying to find a (time) slot where they will be well accepted by the people,” he opined.
Mahathir added that GTA has support from Sabah and Sarawak. In fact, there are more supporters there than in the peninsula.
“So the support from Sabah and Sarawak for the four parties here is really strong; they are part of our party,” he said, adding that Sabah-based party Warisan is not part of the coalition.
Earlier, in his speech, Mahathir said the GTA will field one candidate to contest in each constituency.
“We are not fighting among ourselves,” he added. “All of us, whether we are from parties, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or individuals, will support the GTA candidate.
“If we have four parties, we will fight among ourselves, each supporting their own party. So (we) can’t win.” – Aug 27, 2022
Main photo credit: Utusan
