KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Pejuang Tanah Air will play no part in the Melaka election, says party chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

       "Pejuang will not be taking part in the Melaka election, because we feel these polls are just political games of certain people. These people are not serious about politics.

       "These people enter politics only to enrich themselves ... they have no qualms switching support and force governments to be overthrown.

       "This is what is happening in Melaka and why we are staying away from the Melaka election," said Dr Mahathir at a press conference here on Monday (Oct 25).

       The former prime minister said the election should not have happened in the first place, and now the country is at risk of another Covid-19 outbreak if things go out of control in Melaka.

       Asked about his views on the Health Ministry's decision to ban political gatherings throughout the Melaka polls, Dr Mahathir said he was not convinced politicians would adhere to the restrictions.

       The Melaka election will be held next month, with nomination set for Nov 8 while polling day is on Nov 20.

       The election was triggered after four government assemblymen withdrew support for Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali, causing the latter to lose his majority support as chief minister.