'GTA failed to get support from voters', says Dr M on his decision to quit

PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has confirmed that he is no longer with Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) and does not hold any position in the movement.

He said he decided to leave after realising that GTA had failed to attract voter support in the 15th General Election (GE15) in November, Malay language daily Sinar Harian reported.

"(The goal of founding) GTA did not happen, (GTA) did not help us (to win the election) because it was (in the form) of a (political) party.

"We realised that (moving) as a party, we could not win. We fought GE15, and GTA and (Parti) Pejuang (Tanah Air) lost in 125 seats (contested as well as losing deposits)," Dr M was quoted as saying after a Hari Raya open house in Kampung Naga on Thursday (May 11).

The former Langkawi MP said he was now focusing on his Malay Declaration initiative and was not involved with any political party.

He said the initiative aimed at raising awareness among the Malays of the political realities in the country and their current situation.

He added that if unification among the Malays is not achieved, their position would be gradually eroded.

In February, Dr Mahathir announced that he was leaving Pejuang, the party he founded in 2020, along with 12 other members.

He said the decision was made after the party decided to cut ties with GTA.

At the time, Dr Mahathir said he was still active in the political arena as GTA chairman