GERAKAN Tanah Air (GTA) could work together with Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the upcoming federal polls, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said. 

The founding chairman of the Malay nationalist political coalition said that the collaboration would depend on PN’s ideology and also principles.  

“We have to see about that (working with PN),” the former prime minister said at a press conference in Putrajaya today. 

“We have to see if they can get along with us, not get involved in things that are against our ideologies and principles, (then) we may have a cooperation with them,” the nonagenarian added. 

Asked if the coalition also would consider working with Pakatan Harapan (PH), Dr Mahathir did not give a concrete answer but said the coalition might lose Malay votes as PH includes DAP. 

“The problem here is that a lot of Malays don’t like DAP. So, if we work with PH, then probably we (GTA) will lose the Malay votes,” he said.  

Dr Mahathir used to be the chairman of Bersatu, the PN lynchpin, which formed the coalition after breaking away from PH, following the infamous Sheraton Move. 

The two-time prime minister reiterated that Umno is their main enemy.  

“If Umno wins then the country will be ruined. We know the background of Umno and what they are capable of,” he said.  

Malaysia is now gearing up for the general election following caretaker prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s decision to dissolve parliament last week.  

The Election Commission is set to announce the polling dates tomorrow. – October 19, 2022.