[UPDATED] Opportunistic: Bersatu man opposes Pejuang’s attempt to join Perikatan

KUALA LUMPUR – A Bersatu leader has voiced his objection to Perikatan Nasional (PN) potentially opening its doors to Pejuang, recalling his previous unfavourable experience with Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir. 

In a series of Facebook posts today, Bersatu Supreme Council member Faiz Na’aman said that he “personally objects” to Pejuang’s application to join PN and did not mince his words in his condemnation of the party. 

“Personally, I am against Pejuang’s appeal to join PN because to me, the move is a desperate, opportunistic and unprincipled one coming from a party that lost terribly during the last general elections (GE15),” he said. 

During GE15, Pejuang’s dismal performance saw all of its candidates, including Mukhriz and party founder Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, losing their deposits. 

Faiz also claimed that when he had previously reached out to Mukhriz to suggest that Pejuang work together with PN to go against Barisan Nasional in GE15, the response he received was less than encouraging. 

Based on a screenshot shared by Faiz of his WhatsApp conversation with Mukhriz on the matter, the latter had simply stated in response to the suggestion: “Only now you are thinking of your ego”. 

Earlier today, Mukhriz said in a statement that Pejuang’s central executive council had agreed to apply to join PN, which is chaired by Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. 

Mukhriz said 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. 

Last month, Dr Mahathir and 12 other party members announced their exit from Pejuang after Mukhriz decided to withdraw the party from the Gerakan Tanah Air coalition. 

Dr Mahathir, a former two-time prime minister, has since joined Putra, along with former Federal Territories Pejuang chief Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan, who resigned from his party post last year due to a loss of confidence in Mukhriz’s leadership.

Meanwhile, PN leader Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said a decision will be made regarding Pejuang’s application.

Takiyuddin, who is PAS secretary-general, said Muhyiddin will be bringing the application to the PN supreme council for deliberation “in the new future”.

“There are actually two applications to join PN, from Pejuang and from Berjasa. A date has not been set for a meeting to decide on the matter,” Bernama reported him saying at an event in Kota Baru today. – The Vibes, March 2, 2023