Perikatan Nasional (PN) deputy chairman, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, has not ruled out Parti Pejuang Tanah Air becoming a new member of the coalition.
This comes after Pejuang president, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir (main image), in a statement this morning revealed that he had sent a letter to PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday, seeking approval to join PN.
He also sent a copy of the letter to Pas and Gerakan presidents Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, and Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai.
Pas and Gerakan are part of the PN alliance. Muhyiddin is also the president of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia – the other party within the PN coalition.
Although some PN members felt Pejuang should have worked with PN before Malaysia’s 15th General Election, Ahmad Faizal said it was a non-issue.
“To be honest, I was surprised to learn that they want to join PN,” said Ahmad Faizal.
“There were talks of us working together in GE15 (held last November), but it did not materialise.
“Although we did not work together during the elections, we are still friends. I will leave it up to the PN Supreme Council to decide on Pejuang’s application.”
Pejuang was founded by former Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Pejuang’s decision to go solo in the recent national polls backfired, as their candidates, including Mukhriz and Dr Mahathir, suffered massive defeats, and their deposits forfeited.
Dr Mahathir quit Pejuang on Feb 10 and joined Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) several days later.
Ahmad Faizal revealed that Bersatu’s Supreme Council will be meeting tonight, but was unsure if Pejuang’s application was on the agenda.
“Whatever it is, it is the PN Supreme Council that will decide if we accept Pejuang as a member of our alliance,” said the former Perak menteri besar.
“I cannot say for sure if we (Bersatu) will discuss Pejuang’s application. The meeting was called earlier, but we will see.
“We will fix the date of the PN meeting after Bersatu meets tonight. It could be next week, or later,” he added.