Dr M: GTA not registered, coalition to use Pejuang logo

PETALING JAYA: Candidates from parties under Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) will contest under the logo of Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) as authorities have refused to register the coalition, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The GTA and Pejuang chairman said this was similar to what happened during the last general election when Pakatan Harapan and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia faced obstacles getting registered. He said candidates from the Opposition had to contest under PKR's logo.

“We want to go (contest) as GTA but it has not been registered and therefore, we chose Pejuang as the logo to contest under.

“Very much like the last election, when the government then refused to register Pakatan and also suspended the registration of Bersatu,” said Dr Mahathir.

Dr Mahathir said GTA intended to protect the economic and political rights of the Malays.

“GTA is made up of the poor Malays, only the Malays will understand the problems of these Malays. Malays used to be protected by the Malay-dominated government of Umno. However, Umno under former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak changed the struggle of Umno from protecting Malays to enriching Umno leaders.

“GTA was set up to protect and advance the Malays and will take over Umno’s original struggle. Our focus is not a position for us but to repair the politics, finance and economy of the country. We will overcome this poverty of the Malays which has led them to sell out their country," he said.

During the 14th General Election in 2018, the Pakatan coalition's logo was not approved and Bersatu had its registration suspended at the last minute.