Pejuang denies rumour of cooperation with Bersatu

Bersatu splinter group Pejuang today denied speculation of any cooperation between the two parties, saying its present focus is on finding a solution to the Covid-19 crisis as well as solving the health, economic and social problems plaguing the people.

In a statement, Pejuang information chief Ulya Aqamah Husamudin said the party’s chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad had repeatedly rejected such claims, adding that its political bureau had never discussed any cooperation with Bersatu.

“The focus is on discussing how to handle Covid-19 within the framework of the National Recovery Council proposed by the party,” he added.

“If Pejuang intended to work with Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional, we would not have worked so hard to get the party registered. We might as well have returned to our old party.”

He also said that Pejuang’s registration had been in line with a court decision giving the home ministry 14 days to decide on the group’s appeal.

“There were no behind-the-back discussions or political manoeuvres. The decision was the result of the court’s ruling,” he said.

Pejuang was formed by Mahathir and a handful of other MPs after their sacking from Bersatu in May last year.

Mahathir announced on July 8 that his Pejuang outfit had succeeded in registering as a political party.

“We did things by the book,” he said at a press conference. “There was no reason why we could not register.”