ALOR STAR: Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) have begun talks to explore a possible political cooperation ahead of the 15th General Election (GE15).

GTA pro-tem deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said he was hopeful the talks would lead to an official negotiation between both coalitions.

"Yes, GTA and PN have entered talks to explore the possibilities of an electoral pact but we have yet to reach an official negotiation stage as for now.

"It is still at the initial stage of discussion where we are discussing the concept but the initial response from PN seemed positive," he told reporters in an interview here yesterday. 

GTA comprises Pejuang, Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa) and Parti Ikatan India Muslim Nasional (Iman).

PN on the other hand, comprises Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), Pas and Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan) and two Borneo-based parties.

Mukhriz, who is also Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) president said the cooperation could be forged either in the form of a coalition or an electoral pact.

"We foresee the cooperation in the form of coalition (between GTA and PN) but it might be bit difficult (timing), perhaps forming an electoral pact is workable," he said.

Mukhriz was commenting on GTA pro-tem chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's statement on Wednesday that the coalition was willing to work with PN.

Dr Mahathir, who is also Pejuang chairman was reported as stressing that the proposed cooperation would be subject to the terms outlined by GTA.

Mukhriz said there was still a window for both sides to find a common ground to form a cooperation before the nomination date this Nov 5.

"I believe all of us are all willing to put aside our differences to defeat Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) in GE15.

"When we look at the risk of bigger damage to the country should Umno and BN return to power, we view our differences as just petty matters," he said.