In a statement, he said the decision was made after taking into account various factors.

“(This) includes a sense of responsibility for Pejuang’s dismal performance in the recent general election (GE15),” Abu Hafiz said.

He went on to thank Pejuang chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the party’s other leaders for the trust they had placed in him.

On Wednesday, Abu Hafiz said there is a major push from Pejuang’s grassroots and mid-level leadership for the party to review its membership in Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) following its dismal performance in GE15.

All of the party’s 125 candidates, including party chairman Mahathir and president Mukhriz Mahathir, lost in GE15 and also had their deposits forfeited for getting less than one-eighth of the total votes cast.

According to Abu Hafiz, there was also pressure from the grassroots for the party to consider working with a political coalition that shared its aspirations so that it could play a role in the country’s evolving politics post-GE15.