PN needs to study cooperation with Mahathir's GTA, says Muhyiddin

Perikatan Nasional (PN) today said it would study the matter of cooperation with Dr Mahathir Mohamad's Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) movement ahead of the 15th general election (GE15). 

PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said the matter would be given in depth consideration, adding that he could make no decision on his own without involving the leaders of other PN components. 

"Right now, there is no decision to be made," he said. "Each of them has their own experience. 

"PAS and Gerakan both have experience. And we, Bersatu, do as well," he said at a press conference when asked about forming ties with the Pejuang chairman. 

He added that the issue would be discussed by the PN Supreme Council.

This way, he said, all parties concerned could ascertain whether such cooperation would benefit PN at the election.

"Don't benefit one side and drag down the other," he said. 

"What about the views of the voters, whether they will approve or not? This, too, must be taken into consideration." 

Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president, previously said that his party was ready to consider working with Pejuang at GE15 if the latter was serious about cooperating. 

However, he said Pejuang had yet to initiate contact to discuss the possibility. 

Muhyiddin and Mahathir joined hands to form Bersatu in 2016, at the height of the 1MDB saga. 

The party joined Pakatan Harapan (PH) in December that year but exited the coalition after the collapse of the PH administration in February 2020.

Mahathir and Muhyiddin fell out, and Mahathir was removed as Bersatu chairman.

He went on to form Pejuang with his son Mukhriz Mahathir as president.