KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 — Parti Pejuang Tanahair still intended to contest in the state elections this year despite failing to join Perikatan Nasional, said Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah.

The Pejuang secretary-general confirmed that his party has been notified of the coalition’s refusal to accept it as a member, and said it was "disappointing” that PN was not receptive to the goal of not splitting the Malay vote.

"Pejuang will remain in the national political arena to uphold the rule of law and continue the struggle for religion, race, and country.

"With that, Pejuang will continue mobilising its machinery in selected areas to prepare for the coming state elections,” he said in a statement after PN’s rejection was made public.

Earlier today, PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said the coalition’s supreme council decided yesterday to reject Pejuang’s application to enter but did not give a reason.

Pejuang was founded in 2020 by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and members of his faction who were sacked from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, another party he also established after leaving Umno over his disagreement with the Malay nationalists at the time.

During the 15th general election, all 125 candidates including Dr Mahathir who contested using Pejuang’s logo were defeated and lost their deposits.

In the aftermath, Dr Mahathir and several loyalists left Pejuang, allegedly over a disagreement with the party’s direction under its president, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathr, the youngest son of the former prime minister.