This comes less than a month after Mahathir and 12 other party leaders quit Pejuang, the party he founded in 2020, following its decision last month to withdraw from the Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) coalition.

GTA, a loose coalition comprising Malay-based parties, NGOs, academics and professionals, was founded by Mahathir last year. Putra is still a member of GTA.

Putra deputy president Khalid Yunus said Mahathir was given “No 1” as his membership number.

“The number is usually held by the top leader, and it was previously held by Ibrahim as the president,” said Khalid.

“But he is willing to give it to Mahathir.”

Mahathir said Putra would meet to discuss the upcoming polls in six states soon, adding that whether he would be contesting would be decided after the party’s meeting.

He also said Pejuang was welcome to work with Putra if the party wanted to fight for the rights of the Malays.

“I think it is better for them to join us rather than asking for two or three seats from the other coalitions out there,” he said.

Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir has been holding meetings with component parties from both Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional in the past month.

PAS election director Sanusi Nor said Mukhriz had recently met the party’s top leadership, including its president, Abdul Hadi Awang, his deputy and the three vice-presidents.

However, Sanusi said the details of the discussions were not disclosed.

Meanwhile, Kedah PH chairman Mahfuz Omar had confirmed meeting Mukhriz two months ago to discuss a “partnership” for the state elections in Kedah, though the final decision would be made by PH’s presidential council.

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