ALOR SETAR - Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) needs to find an effective formula for survival in addition to identifiying the factors of why they have been rejected by the people if they want to remain in the country's political landscape.
Political analyst Dr Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri said if Pejuang fails to do so, it would be better for the party to be dissolved or for it to join hands with another party that adheres to the same ideology.
He said the party's leader Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Mahathir has to offer something which is not offered by other parties but at the same time, he needs to prove what is offered is possible to implement.
"At this point, support for Pejuang is falling especially after big names have left the party.
"The founder of Pejuang Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad himself left the party, indicating no believe in the ideology brought by Pejuang. It's even possible that people are assuming Pejuang can't go far in national politics," he told Sinar
Ahmad Zaharuddin said, Mukhriz's aura has failed to give a 'wow' factor to Pejuang and has caused the party's light to continue to dim.
"At this moment, Pejuang is not a big ship but just a little boat which can't go against the tide, in the end the boat can only be by the beach ," he said.
He added that Pejuang originally existed as alternative to the people in recent general election however if what it is offering is not giving any advantage to the people, then the offer should change
"The existing leadership of Pejuang should take note and change to ensure the survival of the party. Not just carrying the Pejuang term simply without proving any results.
"Therefore, Pejuang leaders should care about what the people want," he said.
Ahmad Zaharuddin added that Pejuang has failed to promote the party and their ideology and marketing is lacking in terms of differentiating them with other parties who have the same ideology such as Umno, Pas and Parti Pribumi Bersa Malaysia (Bersatu).
"Even though Pejuang was founded on the basis of dignifying royal institutions, upholding Islam as a pillar of religion as well and uplholding the struggle of a sovereign Malay nation at its core it has still failed to gain a strong base.
"As an analogy, many are managing restaurants with the same menu, but some restaurants are full of customers and some are deserted/ When this happens there should be an immediate solution to find formulas to identify measures that can bring in the customers," he added
He elaborated that the top leadership pf Pejuang should be big-hearted enough in finding formulas that could bring about more success and strong footing for the party.
"Joining the Perikatan Nasional was not an appropriate option, as they have their own internal struggle with members under the coalition (Pas/Bersatu) just like what the Warriors fought for. There seems to be no difference in ideology either
"Of course Perikatan Nasional (PN) will think about the added value which can be given by Pejuang to them. But for now Pejuang cannot give any added value," he explained.
On Monday, the PN Supreme Council chaired by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had decided to reject Pejuang's admission application.