“Pejuang was registered today. We thank the government. Our way is not to create problems but to follow laws,” he told an online press conference today.
“Those who want to join us can register,” he said, adding that the party would be more active now.
Mahathir unveiled the name of his new political party in August last year, four years after launching Bersatu, which later sacked him.
One of Pejuang’s first missions would be to put forward a motion in the Dewan Rakyat to set up a National Recovery Council (NRC) – Mahathir’s pet project.
He said the NRC was needed because the present measures have failed, leading to people committing suicide due to loss of jobs and lack of food.
He said his party would look into the struggles of the people and “playing politics” was not part of the agenda at the moment.
He brushed aside the political infighting within Bersatu and Umno and said his party was more keen in ensuring the NRC, made up of professionals, is set up to tackle the country’s health and economic crisis.
“That (politics) is not our priority.
“Whether Muhyiddin Yassin is up or down, in or out, whatever happens to him – that is due to confusion in the country,” he said.
The Langkawi MP said that despite lockdowns and various SOPs, the rakyat were still suffering.
“(Covid) deaths are not decreasing. Some die because they are unable to be treated at hospitals.
“Families are also sad as they are unable to give the dead a proper funeral,” he said.
On Umno’s withdrawal of support for Muhyiddin, Mahathir questioned the attorney-general’s announcement that the prime minister could continue to be in office as the withdrawal was not made by MPs but by the Umno president.
Asked if Muhyiddin should give way for a new leader to lead the country, Mahathir said politicians were unable to agree among themselves.
“They are just delaying the help that the people need. We are not interested whether there is a change in government or in other political matters”.
He said at this moment Pejuang wanted to ensure that the needs of the rakyat are put above politics and to see a reduction in Covid-19 cases, deaths and suicides.
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