In explaining his decision to leave the party with 12 others, he said Pejuang had strayed from its original objective when it was first set up.

“Pejuang has rejected GTA. This means it has rejected me. I have been with GTA and Pejuang from the very beginning,” Utusan Malaysia quoted him as saying.

Mahathir formed GTA late last year, amid speculation of an early general election, to bring together Pejuang, two minor Malay-based parties, and Malay professionals.

“I feel Pejuang has strayed from its path, which is why I quit the party,” he said.

Asked about his next move, Mahathir said he would focus on strengthening GTA and would welcome anyone and was willing to work with any coalition which shared the same ideals.

“However, to date, we have yet to receive any application.”

Yesterday, former Pejuang deputy president Marzuki Yahya announced that Mahathir and 12 other party leaders had quit the party following its decision last month to withdraw from GTA.

The group said Pejuang’s withdrawal effectively spelt the end of their membership in the party.

Mahathir had formed Pejuang in 2020 after leaving Bersatu, which he had formed in 2016 after leaving Umno.

GTA contested 125 seats at the general election in November. However, all its candidates, including Mahathir and his son Mukhriz, who is Pejuang president, were defeated and also lost their election deposits.

Mahathir resigned as Pejuang chairman on Dec 16.