ALOR STAR – The Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) coalition is hoping for support from Chinese voters during the 15th general election (GE15) as their votes can decide the outcomes of the contests, said GTA sponsor chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“In Malaysia, there are constituencies where the Chinese are the majority and there are places where the Malays are the majority. In places where there is a Malay majority, the Chinese votes may account for the majority of a certain party... Malay votes will be split into four.
“If the Chinese back any party, chances are favourable towards that party to win... therefore, I hope the Chinese will support Gerakan Tanah Air,” he told reporters during a dialogue session with the Chinese community at Pekan Cina, here today.
The GTA is a coalition of four Malay-based parties – Pejuang, Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia, Parti Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia and Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional – and a formation of non-governmental organisations under Gagasan Bangsa.
Dr Mahathir, who is also the chairman of Pejuang, said the support of the Chinese towards Pejuang, a component party of GTA, was at a positive level.
“Pejuang as a Malay-based party is not anti-Chinese but opposes Malays who are not good... we want to form a government that is clean and free of any criminals.
“I meet many Chinese groups to explain why Gerakan Tanah Air is a Malay party and they understand,” he said adding that Malaysia will return as the Tiger of Asia when a formidable government is formed after GE15. – Bernama, November 12, 2022
