Pejuang not a game changer for Perikatan, say analysts

PETALING JAYA: Parti Pejuang Tanah Air’s application to join Perikatan Nasional holds little meaning for the coalition, as the party is “too small” and without a “wow” factor, say analysts.

They pointed out that Pejuang had even been abandoned by its founder Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, relegating it further as a party with not much influence among the Malays.

Universiti Sains Malaysia senior lecturer Dr Azmil Mohd Tayeb was of the view that Pejuang would not be a game changer for Perikatan.

“The battle for the Malay electorate is already crowded and competitive. Pejuang and Berjasa will have nothing new to add to the rivalry,” he said.

Yesterday, Bernama quoted Perikatan supreme council member Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan as saying that the coalition would decide soon on the applications from Pejuang and Berjasa (Parti Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia).

Prior to this, Dr Mahathir had announced that he was quitting Pejuang following its decision to cut ties with Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA).

In the last general election, GTA failed to win a single seat.

With such a record, Pejuang’s entry into Perikatan would not make much impact for the Opposition, said Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan.

“However, they would bring some added value, as it is known as a party which fights for the rights of the Malays and Islam.

“This will create an advantage for Perikatan, but not to the extent of being a game changer,” he said.

Pejuang, he added, was not big enough to create a ripple within Perikatan Nasional’s ranks.

National Professors Council senior fellow Dr Jeniri Amir described Pejuang as a party in which its “existence was as good as non-existent”.

He also felt that the party was weak when it comes to getting support from Malay voters.

“Dr Mahathir’s departure from the party also showed that he too did not think that this is a party with a future,” he added.

Jeniri also said that it would be better for Perikatan not to take in Pejuang into the coalition so as not to have to accept its requests for seats during elections later.