KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) will only decide its position on the proposed 15th General Election (GE15) date after the prime minister seeks an audience and presents it to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, said its
chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"We will decide whether to object or support their application to seek election at that juncture.
"We believe that the GE should be held during a time when there is no floods and no strong winds.
"This is to ensure that everyone is safe and can vote safely," he said when asked whether GTA would cross-appeal the proposed GE15 date.
The former prime minister was referring to Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan's statement following the party's Supreme Council meeting last night that Ismail Sabri would propose a date for the dissolution of the lower house of Parliament to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to pave the way for the 15th General Election this year.
Dr Mahathir who is also Parti Pejuang Tanah Air chairman said that the best time to hold the polls would be next year after the monsoon and flood season ends for the sake of everyone's security.
The Langkawi MP said this at a press conference following a dialogue with coalition members dubbed 'Program Suara Tanah Air' at the Cyberjaya Community Club.
He, however, acknowledged that Umno would not hold elections if they were not "beneficial to the party".
"They do not care if many (voters) die, that's not their problem."
On the newly formed coalition, pending registration with the Registry of Societies (RoS), Dr Mahathir hoped for it to be wrapped up soon.
"We were informed that we were among the 30 parties seeking registration so we can't hasten it to this month.
"We were told that there is no issue with our registration."
Asked if GTA components would contest under Pejuang's banner if it was not registered on time, Dr Mahathir said the coalition had a contingency plan.
"We have a plan B but I cannot tell you."
On Sept 23, the coalition announced that it had received a temporary approval from the RoS.