KOTA KINABALU – In its quest to penetrate Sabah’s political field, Pejuang is meeting local political parties, big and small, to form collaborations.
Party president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said that so far, no party has declined to meet Pejuang.
“Right now, everyone is quite open about it (discussing the possibility of collaborating with Pejuang), and there is nothing wrong with it. It is just exploring possibilities,” Mukhriz told a press conference after a retreat programme with Pejuang members here today.
Mukhriz said that Pejuang has met and discussed with small parties in Sabah, and the party is now adjourning to bigger local parties.
“At the moment, we are still in the discussion phase, not yet the negotiation phase. What is important is whoever we will be working with must share the same principles with Pejuang,” he added.
He said that there are two ways that Pejuang would collaborate with other parties; to form an alliance like what was done in the 14th general election, or to form an electoral pact to avoid clashing of seats in the coming election.
Mukhriz admitted that Pejuang is penetrating into a crowded and fragmented bloc of opposition parties in Sabah.
“But the party will continue discussing with other parties to find a common ground, regardless of whether the party is from the opposition or the government bloc.”
He said currently, all parties want to find a formula that can cool the political heat that has left people feeling tired and disgusted with politics.
“We have to explain ourselves – why people still need to come out and vote. Our biggest fear is that voter turnout will remain low,” he said.
Pejuang’s official launch in Sabah, which was scheduled to be held tomorrow, has been postponed to a later date as its chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is currently in Tokyo for a conference.
Realising that Pejuang is a new party, Mukhriz said Sabah Pejuang leaders are tasked to introduce the party and its logo state-wide.
He said he is happy with the support that the party has gathered in Sabah so far under the leadership of Sabah Pejuang chief Nicholas Sylvester and hopes that it will grow before the Dewan Rakyat is dissolved. – The Vibes, May 21, 2022
