KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has urged the Registrar of Societies (RoS) and the Perikatan Nasional government to answer why his Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) is yet to be officially registered as a political party.

During a virtual press conference today, Dr Mahathir said that the RoS has instead questioned Pejuang why it has been holding meetings as a political party despite being unregistered — even when the RoS itself cannot give any reason for still not registering it.

"We have the right, according to the law, as long as we comply with the conditions, we can be registered. If we cannot be registered, a reason must be given.

"If it is because you don’t want there to be an opposition party in the general election, so that the government party can win without competing? Let me know, let us know, as we have to inform our members,” said the former prime minister.

Dr Mahahtir reiterated that Pejuang is currently not aligned with the Opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH) nor the ruling Perikatan Nasional government and would like to remain a "third force”.

"We want to be free so that people will see us as a party against corruption. We want people to support us because of our stand. When we link with any other party, their baggage will affect us,” he said.

Dr Mahathir formed Pejuang last year a few months after the fall of the PH government and his ouster from Bersatu — now led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

The High Court in Kuala Lumpur has since set Junes 23 as the date for its decision on Dr Mahathir’s bid to compel the RoS to register Pejuang.