Mahathir's GTA ready to contest in GE15

Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) is prepared to contest in the 15th general election (GE15) if it is held soon, said the coalition’s chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Mahathir, who is also the Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) chairperson said GTA will ensure victory with sufficient seats to enable the coalition to form the federal government.

"We are confident whether (GE15 is held) early or late, we are ready to contest. We want to stand in sufficient areas to form the government.

"Even if we do not win more than 50 percent, we would be the largest victorious party, then we would try to form an alliance with other parties so that we would attain more than 50 percent to be the government,” he said.

Mahathir was speaking at a media conference after opening the 2022 National Assembly organised by coalition partner Barisan Jemaah Islamiyah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa) in Kuala Lumpur today.

GTA consists of four Malay-Muslim parties: Mahathir's Pejuang, political veteran Ibrahim Ali's Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), Berjasa, and Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (Iman).

On Aug 4, Mahathir announced the setting up of GTA, a coalition to empower the Malays, especially economically, and would field candidates in 120 parliamentary constituencies in Peninsular Malaysia, especially in Malay-majority seats.

Asked whether it is suitable to hold GE15 this year, the former prime minister predicted that the general election will not be held this year as the government is not ready.

"I expect not before the budget but I think they cannot have it too early because they are also not prepared. So the government party is trying to find a slot where they will be well accepted by the people," he said.

On support from Sabah and Sarawak, Mahathir said GTA has more supporters in East Malaysia than in the peninsula.

"So the support from Sabah and Sarawak for the four parties is really strong, they are part of our party," he said, adding that Warisan is not part of the coalition.

Earlier, in his speech, Mahathir said the GTA will field one candidate to contest in each constituency.

"We are not fighting among ourselves. All of us, whether we are from parties, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), or individuals, we will all support the GTA candidate," he said.

- Bernama

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