Sad that Perikatan rejected offer to not split Malay vote: Pejuang sec-gen

KUALA LUMPUR – It is very sad that Perikatan Nasional did not reciprocate the commitment and goal not to split Malay votes, said Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah.

In a statement, the Pejuang secretary-general expressed his disappointment over the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin-led coalition’s rejection of the party’s request to join them.

“Pejuang has been informed that PN’s supreme council held a meeting yesterday, one of which was to discuss Pejuang’s request to join the coalition,” he said.

“We were informed that this request has been rejected. It is very sad that the commitment and goal of not splitting the Malay vote was not welcomed by the PN leadership,” he added.

Nonetheless, Amiruddin said Pejuang will always stay in the nation’s political arena to defend the rule of law and carry its mandate of fighting for religion, race, and the homeland. 

He added the party will continue to mobilise its machinery in certain areas to prepare for the upcoming state elections.

Earlier this month, Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir had expressed hope his party could join PN, stating that it would be “more advantageous” for all parties if Pejuang were to join PN ahead of the upcoming state elections.

However, today, PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin announced in a statement that the coalition had rejected Pejuang’s request, after a supreme council meeting.

Bersatu supreme council member Faiz Na’aman opined Mukhriz’s decision was “desperate, opportunistic, and unprincipled”, following the party’s terrible loss during the recent general election.

As such, he also expressed his objection to the decision, recalling his previous unfavourable experience with the Pejuang president. 

Nonetheless, Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Faizal Azumu told The Vibes that he welcomed Pejuang’s bid to join the coalition, suggesting it was the “better alternative” compared with other existing coalitions. – The Vibes, March 21, 2023