KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) will not be fielding any candidates in next month’s six state elections, says Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.
The Pejuang president said that instead, the party will use this opportunity to prepare for the 16th General Election (GE16).
“On the grounds that the Malay votes must not split, and at the same time, since January, we have not gotten a response from Perikatan Nasional (PN) on our intention to join the coalition, Pejuang has decided to stay away from the state polls.
“This decision does not mean Pejuang is not relevant or is afraid to face the elections. It could be a blessing in disguise where a step back does not mean we are retreating for good. Instead, we will move forward after this,” he told a media conference here Saturday (July 22).
Following this decision, Mukhriz said Pejuang has come up with a list of criteria for party members who will be voting on Aug 12.
“We will not support candidates involved in kleptocracy, who lack integrity, or those who do not pay attention to Malay-related issues.
“I am not going to the extent of mentioning which coalition which we should vote for… but those who fulfil all these criteria are the ones we will support,” he said. – Bernama
The Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) has announced that it will not be putting forward any candidates in the upcoming six state elections. Instead, the party plans to use this opportunity to prepare for the 16th General Election (GE16). Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, the president of Pejuang, stated that the decision was made due to concerns about splitting the Malay votes and the lack of response from Perikatan Nasional (PN) regarding Pejuang’s intention to join the coalition since January. Mukhriz emphasized that this decision does not indicate irrelevance or fear in facing the elections. Rather, it allows the party to take a step back temporarily and move forward in the future.
Mukhriz also revealed that Pejuang has established a list of criteria for party members who will be voting on August 12. The party will not support candidates involved in kleptocracy, candidates who lack integrity, or those who do not prioritize Malay-related issues. However, Mukhriz did not explicitly mention which coalition the party should vote for in the state elections. He stated that Pejuang will support candidates who meet all the specified criteria.
Pejuang’s decision to abstain from the state polls highlights the party’s strategic approach in focusing on GE16 while prioritizing unity among Malay voters. By formulating criteria for party members’ voting decisions, Pejuang aims to ensure that the chosen candidates align with their principles and values.
The absence of Pejuang candidates in the upcoming state elections does not undermine the party’s relevance or commitment to participating in democratic processes. Instead, it represents a tactical retreat that will empower the party to regroup and make a stronger impact in future elections.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
