OPPOSITION party Pejuang has not ruled out the possibility of working with Barisan Nasional (BN) or Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the next general election as it could prove beneficial to the party, a party insider said.

The high-ranking source within the party told The Malaysian Insight that a cooperation was being considered based on Malay and Islamic unity.

He added that this was different from working with opposition pact Pakatan Harapan (PH) as the coalition’s agenda was not based on the defence of Malays and Islam.

“In politics, anything can happen. We in Pejuang want to work (with political parties) based on the Malay and Islamic agenda. The remaining Malay-Islamic parties are Umno or PN (Bersatu and PAS). 

“PH is not a Malay, Islamic party,” he said.

The leader, who refused to be identified, believed that cooperation with Umno, Bersatu or PAS was a real possibility. 

“It is not impossible for Pejuang, PAS, Umno, and Bersatu to merge. Politics is a flexible thing,” he said. 

He said the party founded by Dr Mahathir Mohamad was still contemplating on the matter, adding that it would be difficult for Pejuang to face  GE15 alone.

“Actually, we are deciding who to be with. If we are planning to go solo, it will be quite difficult. We need to have a coalition,” he told The Malaysian Insight. 

According to him, the matter has been discussed among Pejuang’s top leaders.

“The top leadership meeting has also decided to be with any (political coalition) that we can accept,” he said.

This leader’s supposed stand of the party is different from the views expressed by Dr Mahathir last month. Then, the former prime minister totally ruled out any cooperation with Bersatu, the mainstay of the PN pact led by Muhyiddin Yassin. 

Dr Mahathir said he still remembered Muhyiddin’s betrayal in causing the fall of the PH government in February 2020.

The PN pact enjoys an acrimonious relationship with Umno and BN although they are partners in the federal government.

That relationship is however set to end in GE15 with Umno saying it would prefer to fight just on the BN platform. 

As for Muhyiddin, he has been making calls to opposition leaders, urging them to form a pact to face the next general election.

Strategy shift needed to win

The Pejuang leader meanwhile said the party was looking at ties with other parties following its massive defeat in the Johor elections in March this year. 

“The Johor polls are a reason (to seek partnerships) because we can see that we can’t go alone. 

“But losing is not the sole factor. There are other factors at play.

“Pejuang is not strong in all states but in some we have a strong structure. We are not fully strong and need to rely on the voters knowing our candidates and leaders. 

“So it is important for us to have allies,” he said. 

He added that Pejuang was also focusing on people’s issues, especially after the Covid-19 epidemic, as opposed to issues of corruption and abuse of power. 

He said it was clear Malaysians were aware of the socio-economic situation in the country and were also tired of continual changes in government administration. 

He said that explanation on the issue of corruption was not able to draw more support.

“So now we have to change our strategy. No more stories of corruption but stories on how to restore the nation. Not everyone is keen on corruption issues. 

“Umno is just like any other party. Only two individuals are evil, but we can’t hate the party because of them,” he said, alluding to the court cases Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former president Najib Razak are facing. 

Pejuang leader Mahdzir Ibrahim, when contacted, confirmed that cross-party discussions on working together for GE15 were ongoing but there was no official decision as yet.

The Pejuang candidate for the Semerah state seat in the Johor elections told The Malaysian Insight that negotiations were still ongoing. 

He however said the party rejected working with kleptocrats. 

“So far there is no problem in discussing the partnership, in finding a meeting point. Discussions can proceed with any party.

“We will see the results later. So far there is no official position on this but there is an informal cross-party meeting with Bersatu and Umno. 

“Everything is ongoing but there is nothing concrete yet,” he said.

Pejuang has four MPs – Dr Mahathir (Langkawi), Mukhriz Mahathir (Jerlun), Amiruddin Hamzah (Kubang Pasu) and Shahruddin Md Salleh (Sri Gading). – May 21, 2022.