PUTRAJAYA: Parti Pejuang Tanah Air chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced today the establishment of Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA), a coalition that intends to empower the Malays, especially in terms of economy.
Bernama reported that for the initial stage, GTA would comprise Pejuang, Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (Iman), Parti Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa) and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra).
Dr Mahathir said the coalition's membership would be opened to non-governmental organisations, individuals, academicians and professionals among the Malays.
GTA's official registration would be done soon, he said.
"I hope it will receive support from the people, particularly Malays who have doubts about their future," he said at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here today.
"We hope the Registrar of Societies will be considerate to us... If the (registration) is not approved, we will choose another name," he said.
Berita Harian reported that Dr Mahathir would be GTA's pro-tem chairman, while four leaders were announced as its pro-tem deputy presidents.
The are Berjasa president Zamani Ibrahim, Putra president Datuk Ibrahim Ali, Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and Iman president Datuk Mohammed Mosin Abdul Razak.
Pejuang deputy president Datuk Marzuki Yahya was named as GTA's secretary-general.
Dr Mahathir said he was confident of attracting Malay voters, especially from Umno, which only won 35 per cent of the seats contested in the 14th General Election.
He said GTA would contest 120 parliamentary seats in the peninsula, which is where the majority of Malay voters are, and where Umno had contested.
He said it was high time for Malay voters to realise Umno's struggles, which he described as being based on money.
"Among those remaining 65 per cent, there will be those who refuse to vote because they feel that politics is dull and does not bring any benefit.
"From the explanations that we will give (to voters), and based on our movement that we have set up thus far, we are confident of getting support," he said.
When asked if GTA would cooperate with other parties outside of the coalition, Dr Mahathir said it would not get involved with the "court cluster".