KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 — At least 13 central executive committee members from Parti Pejuang Tanahair, the party founded by two-time former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, have reportedly tendered their resignations.
The Star quoted former deputy president Datuk Marzuki Yahya confirming the matter, adding that many of those would continue under Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) — the coalition which Pejuang just exited from on Saturday.
“That’s why I’m surprised. By right, the party should make the announcement that 13 members of the central executive committee have already resigned,” Marzuki was quoted as saying.
News of the resignations came just after Dr Mahathir tendered his resignation as Pejuang chairman in December last year.
Marzuki said his exit was not announced by the party.
“I’m waiting for the party to make an announcement. But, until now, there has been no announcement. So, I don’t know if my resignation is accepted,” he was quoted as saying.
Marzuki said he and other Pejuang leaders who resigned from their posts will be continuing their struggles for Malay rights and Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) will be their main platform. Marzuki is still technically a party member.
“For the time being, we are still waiting for the Registrar of Societies to register our GTA application,” he said.
Pejuang was founded by Dr Mahathir in 2020 after the former prime minister left Bersatu. Pejuang contested in all 369 parliamentary and state seats but won none.
Dr Mahathir was also defeated in Langkawi in his home state of Kedah where he was viewed as a favourite after having won the seat in 2018.
On Saturday, Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir announced Pejuang’s withdrawal from the Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) coalition, to focus on strengthening the party.
He said the decision was made after taking into account the views of delegates in the second general assembly of Pejuang today following the party’s poor performance in the last 15th General Election.
