JERLUN: Gerakan Tanah Air's (GTA) application to register as an official political party coalition has received preliminary approval from the Registrar of Society (RoS), revealed its pro-tem deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

The Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) president said with the preliminary approval by the RoS, GTA had received an association registration number.

However, he said the coalition still had to undergo several more processes to secure an official approval.

"In the communications between the RoS and GTA's pro-tem chief secretary Datuk Marzuki Yahya, it seems there is nothing left to delay or deny GTA's (registration application) approval.  

"As such, we hope the official approval will be granted as soon as possible. Let's not wait until one or two days before the general election to grant the approval," Mukhriz told reporters after attending the "Jom Mengemping" programme at Megat Dewa here.

GTA comprises four parties – Pejuang, Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa) and the Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (Iman).

Mukhriz, who is also Jerlun member of parliament, said GTA would offer itself as an alternative to Umno and Pas in the 15th general election (GE15).

"We are eyeing contesting in Malay-majority seats and in suburban seats. We need to convince the voters to support GTA instead of Pas or Umno," he said.

Mukhriz added that GTA was having talks with its non-Malay supporters on how to work together in the GE15.

"Most of them are working on NGO (non-governmental organisation) platforms. We are exploring on options to get them to contest in the general election, win the seats and work together to form a government," he said.