Mahathir, who is chairman of the movement, said non-Malays should not be concerned even though GTA is limited to Malay parties, NGOs, and individuals.

“They have nothing to fear because a government led by Malays can be good for non-Malays as well.

“We will work towards the good of all, even though participation in the movement at this point is limited to Malays only,” he said during a keynote address for Parti Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia’s (Berjasa) national assembly.

The Langkawi MP added that the movement’s intentions are pure and acceptable to all regardless of race.

It was previously reported that the main purpose of the coalition was to go up against Umno in the next general election (GE15) and to fight for the interest of Malays.

Mahathir also said the movement would only name its prime minister candidate after it wins in the next general election (GE15), adding that announcing a “poster boy” in advance would be “meaningless” if they lost.

“We are focused on one objective, that is to form a good government that is formidable, and free of corruption and abuse of power,” he said.

On Aug 4, Mahathir announced the formation of GTA, comprising Malay-based parties, NGOs, academics as well as professionals.

The movement includes his party Pejuang, Berjasa, Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) and the National Indian Muslim Alliance Party (Iman).

The former prime minister said the focus would be on winning in Malay-majority areas, targeting 120 parliamentary seats in Peninsular Malaysia.