Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir has announced that the party will contest a limited number of seats in the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, acknowledging the party’s current limitations as it seeks to rebuild its political relevance.
Speaking to Berita Harian, Mukhriz said Pejuang is approaching the elections realistically and is actively engaging in negotiations with other political parties to avoid seat clashes. “We are interested in contesting in Johor and Negeri Sembilan. At the same time, we are aware of our limitations, so we don’t plan to contest for many seats,” he was quoted as saying.
The former Kedah Menteri Besar revealed that talks have commenced with three political parties so far, including Muda, which currently holds one state seat – Puteri Wangsa – in Johor. He said Pejuang had also reached out to several other parties for discussions, though some were not interested.
“So we will have to compromise. We can’t force anyone. Some parties are rejecting talks, but some are considering our offer,” Mukhriz added.
Pejuang, founded by Mukhriz’s father and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, currently holds no seats at any level of government. The party has also been linked to a possible pact with PAS, Berjasa, and the Reset movement led by former Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin.
Last week, Mukhriz met Muda president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz for direct talks on cooperation specifically for the Johor state polls, signalling that smaller opposition parties are seeking to consolidate their positions ahead of the election.
The Johor state election is scheduled for July 11, while Negeri Sembilan goes to the polls on August 1. Both elections are seen as critical tests for the political alliances ahead of the 16th general election.
Analysts have noted that smaller parties like Pejuang face an uphill battle in the upcoming polls, given the dominance of larger coalitions such as Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, and Perikatan Nasional. However, by forming strategic alliances, these parties hope to carve out a meaningful presence.
Mukhriz’s comments underscore the fragmented nature of Malaysia’s opposition landscape, with multiple small Malay-based parties jostling for position and influence ahead of the twin state elections.
Pejuang’s participation, even on a limited scale, adds another layer of complexity to an already crowded electoral field in both Johor and Negeri Sembilan.
