Dr Mahathir Mohamad's announcement of a new coalition signals Anwar Ibrahim's imminent removal as the opposition's de facto leader, said Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang.

Tan said the former prime minister already ousted Anwar from the country's number two position in 1998, before Anwar was expelled from BN.

“After 18 years, it looks like the formation of a new opposition coalition by Mahathir would again lead to the removal of Anwar, but this time as the de facto leader of the opposition,” Tan said in a statement today.

“Gerakan Youth welcomes the formation of the new opposition coalition by Mahathir and the imminent replacement of Anwar as the de facto leader of the opposition."

He added that Mahathir's coalition, as well as the recently formed Gabungan Rakyat Saksama in East Malaysia, were clear signs more people had lost faith in opposition pact Pakatan Harapan.

Welcoming the former prime minister's move as democratic, Tan called on the new coalition to set a new standard for the opposition in the country.

"Our country needs a constructive opposition, instead of a destructive opposition as seen in the past," he said.

Mahathir announced the formation of a new party and grand coalition after a meeting with opposition and civil society leaders in Putrajaya last Thursday.