GE15: GTA to target Malay majority seats

ALOR SETAR - Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) is targeting the Malay majority and suburban seats in the 15th General Election (GE15).

Its Deputy Chairman Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said the initial target is to place winnable candidates at 120 Parliamentary seats while the number of state assembly seats to be contested is still being discussed.

"We are targeting suburban areas with mixed votes. This means, there are also many seats that we most likely will not contest," he told Sinar Harian here on Tuesday.

Mukhriz who is also the Pejuang President said the candidates will be finalised once Parliament is dissolved.

"So far, the estimated number of parliamentary seats is approximately 120, and only state assembly seats have not been determined yet. The reason is that we are not sure how many states will dissolve, including Kedah. You have to wait," he said.

In the meantime, the Jerlun MP expects fierce competition in the Malay majority areas as it is also the focus of Umno and Pas.

"I assume it will happen like the last GE14. If before this we represented Bersatu, now Pejuang will clash with Umno and Pas. This is certain because the area is also the target of the two parties," he said.

Mukhriz emphasised that GTA needs to convince the Malays that they should not support Umno or Pas in GE15 based on the performance of the two parties.

"It has been proven that they failed to defend the fate of the people. Umno with their problem of embezzlement by its leadership while Pas failed to manage everything. In fact, the ministry led by a leader from Pas is seen as not showing excellent performance.

"In Kedah, the people can evaluate the leadership performance of Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and I think everyone is waiting for the elections to reject him. That will also affect Pas. Failure in leadership, including his party, must be rejected," he added.

Commenting on whether he will defend the previously contested seats, namely the Jerlun Parliamentary seat and the Jitra state seat, Mukhriz is willing to remain in both seats to represent GTA but the final decision will be decided jointly by the party's top leadership.

"We have to wait and see first. As long as I get support, as long as I volunteer, God willing (insyaAllah)," he said.