SHAH ALAM - The recent turmoil in Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) proves the feud between its former chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his son who is the Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.
Former Pejuang central executive council member Abu Bakar Yahya said Dr Mahathir confirmed to leave the party on Friday because of his disappointment with his son's impatience of wanting to forge a relationship with a coalition larger than Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) which is either the unity government or Perikatan Nasional (PN).
He explained the action of the Pejuang leaders spearheaded by Mukhriz to sever the party's ties with GTA was the reason for Dr Mahathir and 12 members to step down.
"The intention of the leadership who wanted to separate themselves from GTA was against the decision made in the meeting held previously that agreed to remain with GTA," he told Sinar Premium on Saturday.
Abu Bakar said the decision to no longer to remain with GTA gave the signs towards that group which no longer agreed to the Dr Mahathir's principles who wanted the party to remain as a coalition member.
"Initially, the leadership group wanted to go on their way; however, now it is said they might join a bigger coalition.
"The matter is not in line with the stance and principles of the former chairman (Dr Mahathir) who fought for the religion, race and the country without associating with a group of rogue leaders, liars and thieves.
"The suspicions and rumours that Dr Mahathir wanted to bring up his son as prime minister proved to be untrue,
"Tun (Dr Mahathir) is a man who follows his principles and those of us leaving the party are loyal supporters of him for all the great service he has done for the country," he said.
Among the leaders who followed Dr Mahathir and Abu Bakar’s footsteps on Friday were former Pejuang deputy president Datuk Marzuki Yahya and former Federal territories Pejuang chief Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan.
Others included Armin Baniaz Pahamin, Afiqah Mohamad, Azman Mohd Hashim, Datuk Nuhairi Rahmat, Mohd Jaffri Hussain, Mohamad Jani, Datuk Ahamed Basheer, Wan Azliana Wan Adnan, and Fyzul Adzwan Mustafa Kamal.
Abu Bakar said he personally could not stay under a leadership that is unaggressive, lacks the strength to voice out, and fails to implement the multitude of party activities in approaching the people (reportedly referring to Mukhriz).
He said he took the same decision to leave Pejuang after Dr Mahathir was determined to leave.
He said if the party’s struggle and principles were set aside and personal struggles were prioritised, it wouldn't fulfil the original struggle of Pejuang.