Dr M says Pejuang’s formation vindicated by political developments

Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad believes the formation of Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) was justified by recent political events, despite the party's limited success. Speaking at the party's fourth annual general assembly in Shah Alam, Mahathir, 101, noted that many of those who had expelled him from his former party had since faced their own setbacks, such as being sacked and forced to form new parties.

He highlighted a cycle of political realignment, where those who previously pushed for his party to leave the government due to disagreements with coalition partners are now aligning themselves with the same parties. Mahathir emphasized the importance of learning from history and the transience of political friendships, urging parties to maintain their core principles and not compromise on their goals, even if it means facing tough compromises.

He stressed that while political shifts are common, a fundamental concern arises when the objectives of a political struggle change, and warned against actions that contradict Islamic law and Malay customs. Pejuang, founded in 2020 by Mahathir and associates following their ouster from Bersatu, remains part of the Perikatan Nasional coalition but has faced challenges due to Bersatu's recent setbacks in elections.