The former CEO of the national film development corporation (Finas) said he was appointed yesterday, with the Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led coalition taking notice of his work in establishing special education hubs and a volunteer brigade in Port Dickson.

In a Sinar Harian report, he said these initiatives had impacted the local community and were factors that GTA’s top leadership considered in appointing him to the post.

Ahmad Idham said his appointment showed that GTA was not just a political coalition but included NGOs, professionals and individuals, since he was appointed in his capacity as the chairman of an NGO, not as a political party member.

Formed in August, GTA includes Pejuang, the National Indian Muslim Alliance Party (Iman), Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) and Parti Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa).

Ahmad Idham had joined Bersatu in April but left the party after just three months.