The Malaysian Insight

A MAJOR political coalition has shown interest in working with Malay party Pejuang, the party’s information chief Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali said.

He told The Malaysian Insight the interest was because Pejuang has “added value that could help the coalition”.

Rafique’s disclosure came after about a dozen of Pejuang’s key leaders, including its founding father Dr Mahathir Mohamad, had quit the party in a huff.

He would not reveal the name of the coalition but he did say the party had held informal talks with both Pakatan Harapan (PH), now the lead coalition in the federal unity government and Perikatan Nasional (PN) after the general election.

The interest, he added, was a clear indication that Pejuang had caught the attention of voters in the general election.

“Informal meetings did take place. However, no decision was reached.

“We haven’t discussed at the highest level (in the party) either. They too have not set any terms or demands,” he said when met in Kuala Lumpur.

Rafique said Pejuang’s “simple but inclusive values” and the professionals the party fielded as candidates in the recent election caught the attention of said coalition.

“We are excited,” he said.

“They see added value in Pejuang, even though all of our candidates were defeated and lost their deposits,” he said.

“We are in a situation where we can contribute to both the PN or PH.”

He admitted that November’s election and the Johor elections last year were bitter, painful lessons for the fledgling party because of the manner in which their candidates lost.

In the Johor polls in March last year, Pejuang contested under its own logo in all 42 seats, and lost every one.

In the general election, Pejuang was again battered in the 60 seats it contested, with its candidates all losing their deposits, including Dr Mahathir in Langkawi and party president Mukhriz Mahathir in Jerlun.

After which, Pejuang faced internal conflicts over Dr Mahathir’s decision to continue aligning the party with the Gabungan Tanah Air (GTA) coalition. Some in the party wanted to support the unity government led by Anwar Ibrahim.

Pejuang later withdrew from GTA, and at the same time some leaders also resigned from the party.

Dr Mahathir meanwhile stepped down as Pejuang chairman but continued to remain as GTA head.

Earlier this week Dr Mahathir and his group was reported to have left Pejuang. 

Facing state elections

The party is reportedly evaluating the proposal to work with PH in the forthcoming state elections in Kedah and Selangor which must be held before September.

The party currently holds two seats in the Kedah and Selangor state assemblies respectively.

In Kedah, its president Mukhriz is the assemblyman for Jitra while its secretary general Amiruddin Hamzah is the Anak Bukit assemblyman.

In Selangor, Pejuang’s two representatives are Mohd Shaid Rosli (Jeram) and Harumaini Omar (Batang Kali).

Rafique said the party’s election machinery in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan, the six states that have to hold state elections this year, are ready if the decision is made to enter the fray.

“At the moment, we have not decided. We are still analysing our strengths and weaknesses from last year’s elections.

“If we do enter, we will not compete in all the seats.

“It will be in seats where we are strong, have the right candidate and strong election machinery,” he said.

Rafique said Pejuang is in the midst of a leadership shake up.

“Perhaps it’s 50-50 on our participation.”

He said Pejuang, with 20 branches and 70,000 members nationwide, needs time to be better known to the voters.

That, he added, should not be too long in coming.

“Our goal is to make Pejuang compete on equal footing with the other parties in any elections and to bring their party candidates to the state assembly and parliament.”

Despite Pejuang’s air of optimism, analysts are already predicting the party will lose all four seats it is currently holding.

Zero chances

Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya has written off the party’s chances if it fails to join any coalition before going to the state elections.

He said the party might have a chance if it cooperates with PN and offers new and fresh candidates.

“PN would be more compatible but to what extent would PN accept them.”

Awang Azman also said strategically, Pejuang will get more support if they join with PN.

“This is because there are seats that they don’t need to fight for compared to the PH seats that surely will be bitterly fought for among PH component parties.”

Awang Azman said Pejuang’s core principles of fighting for Malay interests and defending Islam would make it easier for them to work with PN rather than multi-racial PH.

On the future of Pejuang after the state elections, Awang Azman said it is somewhat uncertain.

The lecturer said it is difficult for Pejuang to continue moving on without a strategic partner.

“They need to compete with Malay-based parties, such as PAS, Bersatu, and Umno.

“They need other parties to help strengthen their position at the grassroots, if they do decide to enter the state election fray.” –  February 13, 2023.