Tun M leaves GTA

SHAH ALAM - Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad confirmed that he is no longer with Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) and does not hold any position in the coalition.

He made the decision after realising that GTA could not function well and failed to attract voters' support, especially during the 15th General Election (GE15), in November, last year.

"(Position as GTA chairman) that is long ago. Now, I do not hold any position (in GTA). The goal of GTA's establishment has failed and it did not help us in winning the election as it is a form of a party.

"We found that if we move as a party, we cannot win, we have already fought in GE15, GTA and Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) lost 125 seats which were contested and we also lost the deposits.

"Previously, we were unable to register GTA, we have not been registered as a legal party, because GTA was "not functioning" and not moving. I am no longer with them now," he said.

He said this when met at the Aidilfitri open house organised by the Kubang Pasu Caring Organisation in Kampung Naga, here, last night (Thursday).

Commenting further, Dr Mahathir said he was now moving through the medium of the "Malay Proclamation" in addition to not being involved with any political party in the country.

The medium, the former Langkawi MP said was trying to give awareness to the Malays in the country on the plight of those who were seen to have lost power in their own country.

He added that if unification among the Malays could not be realised, the position of the race in Malaysia would also erode day by day.

In February, Dr Mahathir announced that he was leaving Pejuang along with 12 other members.

Through a notice to Pejuang secretary-general Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah, the decision was made following the party's action to cut ties with GTA. - AWANI