Explaining his decision to join the Ibrahim Ali-led party, the former prime minister claimed the Malays were also taking a back seat in politics.

He went on to predict a bleak future for Malaysia as long as the Malays were not the dominant force.

“That’s why before I die, I will work for my race.

“Call me racist, but Malays are now left behind after giving way to the foreigners,” he said at a press conference here.

Earlier this month, Mahathir expressed fears of an impending government push for changes in electoral boundaries that could result in the number of Malay-majority seats being reduced.

Mahathir said he was afraid of such a possibility as Anwar Ibrahim’s ruling coalition holds a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.

“And if there are fewer Malay-majority areas, there is a chance for others to exert influence on the government,” he said.

Mahathir joined Putra after quitting Pejuang last month following his former party’s decision to withdraw from the Gerakan Tanah Air coalition.