PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad predicts that the new youth-centric political party to be formed by Muar member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman will not do well in gaining support from the people.
The former prime minister also said he did not understand why Syed Saddiq wanted to form a new party.
"I really do not know why he wants to form a new party. But I do not think it (the new party by Syed Saddiq) will be successful.
"Although the youth represent a very big portion among the electorates, it is not enough for the party to win (the election).
"In any (parliamentary and state) constituencies, there are old and the young among the electorates," the Langkawi member of Parliament, who is also the founder of Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) told reporters here today.
Present was his son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, who is also Jerlun MP.
It was reported that Syed Saddiq, who is former Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) youth chief, would not join Pejuang.
Syed Saddiq had said that he would instead set-up a youth-centric multiracial movement to ensure that the group's voices and concerns are heard.
"We (Pejuang) are going to appeal to the young (in the election) as well.
"Hence, it is difficult for him (Syed Saddiq and his new youth party) to succeed.
"Having said that, we are a free country and he can do things on his own," he said.
Dr Mahathir, who is former Bersatu chairman, said he saw no problems for Pejuang to work together with the party to be formed by Syed Saddiq.
"We have good relations with him. We have no problems (working together) if the objective is all about fighting corruption," he said.
On a related matter, Dr Mahathir said Pejuang was targeting to win 36 of the total 222 parliamentary seats to be the "decision maker" of which political coalition to become the next federal government in the next general election (GE15).
"We do not think that any of the two political coalitions can win (GE15).
"If we can just get 36 seats, we (Pejuang) are in a position to join any political alliance that meet our condition," he said.
Dr Mahathir claimed Pejuang has the backing from 18 MPs in Sabah and Sarawak.
"They are not MPs of Pejuang but they are friendly and believe the principles championed by our party," he said.