Putra was founded and is led by long-time Mahathir ally Ibrahim Ali and is a member of the Gerakan Tanah Air coalition founded by Mahathir last year.

Mahathir said Ibrahim had invited him to join the four-year-old party as an adviser after party leaders had taken a decision on the matter.

“So far, I do not see a reason why I should not accept the invitation, but I also always give myself time to think seriously when I have to make decisions.

“The offer to join Putra goes well with my (political) struggles. I will think about this, and if I find this is suitable for me, I will apply to be a member, and if they want me as an adviser, I can be that as well,” he told reporters.

Last week, Mahathir and 12 other party leaders quit Pejuang, the party he founded in 2020, following its decision last month to withdraw from GTA.

He said he was surprised by the decision as GTA comprised leaders who were “not entangled in corruption” and instead was willing to join forces with parties viewed as being corrupt.

“We tried to bring together Malays who are clean as there aren’t many. This is because the major parties are involved in graft. The only ones left were smaller parties like Pejuang, Putra, Iman and Berjasa,” he said.

Mahathir said he was disappointed by Pejuang’s choice of allies.

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

GTA contested 125 seats at the general election in November, with Mahathir seeking re-election in Langkawi, where he had been elected on a Pakatan Harapan ticket in 2018.

However, all GTA candidates were defeated, including Mahathir and his son Mukhriz, who is Pejuang president, and they also lost their election deposits.

Mahathir resigned as Pejuang chairman on Dec 16.