Wong, of Sunway University said Pejuang will be dwarfed by the major Malay parties with Umno, PAS and Bersatu leading the scene, as shown in the recent general election.

Pejuang is too small a party to become relevant while GTA without Pejuang is merely an NGO, Wong said in response to Pejuang’s announcement yesterday that it has withdrawn from GTA to focus on strengthening itself.

The party, founded by Dr Mahathir Mohamad was wiped out at the general election in November with all its candidates, including Mahathir and party president Mukhriz Mahathir, losing their election deposits.

Wong said a realistic option for Pejuang and other Bersatu splinter parties such as Muda was to work with Pakatan Harapan. However, this would be opposed by Umno which he said dislikes competition. “It would be good enough if Pejuang could rise again in Kedah,” Wong said.

Pejuang could have a brighter future if local government elections are restored and the electoral system changed from the current first-past-the-post to a closed-list proportional representation system.

Under this system, voters would choose their preferred party and seats allocated to parties based on their share of the total vote.

“It would be easier for a party to win seats, as well as retain its existing talent,” added Wong.