Mahathir reveals 8 Pejuang candidates as talks ongoing to avoid clashes with PN

Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said that his party Pejuang is involved in talks with Perikatan Nasional (PN) to avoid multi-cornered fights at the coming polls.

The former prime minister also unveiled eight candidates, including himself, who will be contesting under the Pejuang banner.

He added that a decision on more than 100 other candidates would depend on the outcome of negotiations with PN.

Aside from Mahathir, who will be defending his Langkawi seat, other candidates include his son Mukhriz Mahathir (Jerlun) and Amiruddin Hamzah (Kubang Pasu).

Also named by Pejuang today were Che Asmah Ibrahim (Sepang), Mior Nor Haidir Suhaimi (Tapah), Harumaini Omar (Hulu Selangor), Mohd Shaid Rosli (Kuala Selangor) and Khairuddin Abu Hassan (Titiwangsa).

Mahathir said the candidate names had been decided on by the pact, and voiced hope that there would be no clashes with the candidates from Perikatan Nasional (PN).

"When we wish to cooperate with PN, we hope that all eight of these candidates will be accepted," he said in a press conference at Putrajaya today. 

Mahathir said on Oct 19 that GTA, which comprises Pejuang, Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa) and Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (Iman), would cooperate with neither Umno nor Pakatan Harapan (PH) in facing the 15th general election (GE15). 

He said while GTA's main enemy remained Umno, working with PH would cause the movement to lose the Malay vote. 

On the possibility of cooperation with PN, he said GTA was considering the option contingent on whether its component parties were in line with his cause. 

"We want to see if they are aligned with us or not," he said. 

"Are their leaders involved in crime, and do they have the same principles as GTA? Cooperation might be possible."

Speaking today, Mahathir also said that several minor issues remained unresolved. 

He said while both sides might agree to cooperate, the candidates to be fielded should also be suitable and avoid clashes in their individual constituencies. 

"We are of the view that this cooperation will result in a large number of candidates," he said. 

"And we have no problems if there are candidates for the 120 seats promised, maybe even more."

He added that the results of the talks with PN would be announced on Nov 2. 

In August, GTA said it wished to contest 120 of the 122 parliamentary seats up for grab, with an eye on Malay-majority seats, especially in traditional Umno areas.