Dad’s new party only to take BN down, not be Opposition, says Mukhriz

“We have met with other parties and NGOs because the aim is to bring down BN in the 14th general election,” Mukhriz told reporters.

(MMO) – The new political party to be founded by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will not be part of the Opposition even though it is focused on defeating the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, his son Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said today.

The former Kedah mentri besar also said his father will personally submit the papers to register the party soon.

“We have met with other parties and NGOs because the aim is to bring down BN in the 14th general election,” Mukhriz told reporters at the Hari Raya open house celebration here organised by Kelab CheDet, a fan group of his father’s.

“We are not interested to become an Opposition,” he added.

Dr Mahathir had been expected to attend the event earlier but was not present due to ill health.

The Ayer Hitam assemblyman said his father is expected to hand in the application form for his new party to the Registrar of Societies very soon, but gave no timeframe.

“Tun will personally hand over the papers so we hope there are no attempts to hinder the process.

“If they really claim to uphold democracy, then allow the application,” he said, referring to the authorities.

Mukhriz also said the proposal to found a new party has been well received by the public and claiming many have requested to join.

Dr Mahathir who quit Umno earlier this year announced on July 14 a plan to set up a new political party to contest against Umno in the next general elections due by 2018.

Details on the party, which does not yet have a name, have been sparse, fuelling much speculation as to its leadership and alliances.