Parti Pribumi to join Pakatan Harapan as soon as issues ironed out, says Dr M

Dr Mahathir delivering his speech at the Pakatan Harapan Convention on Saturday.

SHAH ALAM: Parti Pribumi Bersatu will join Pakatan Harapan, said the party's chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, adding that his party and the Opposition pact's member parties shared a common goal.

Dr Mahathir also stressed that Pribumi president Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin was not against the party joining Pakatan.

"If we go separate ways, then we will not win, so our aim is to be a part of the Pakatan Harapan coalition regardless of its name.

"However, it must be ensured that all the parties will contest together in the election under one symbol and not as separate parties," he told a packed hall at Pakatan's convention at the Ideal Convention Centre here.

Later during a press conference, Dr Mahathir said Pribumi would join Pakatan as soon as certain issues are ironed out.

On PAS' reluctance to join the Opposition coalition, the former prime minister said he was trying to negotiate with the Islamist party.

Dr Mahathir said it was important to include PAS in the Opposition as the party could "sabotage" Pakatan in the polls by creating three-cornered fights.

"If PAS doesn't join the Opposition they will put their candidate and there will be three-cornered fights in at least 40 constituencies," said Dr Mahathir, adding that it would kill the Opposition if that happens.

On a potential candidate to lead the Opposition in the next general election, he said they could not make premature statements.

"Each party may have their own candidate but we cannot make a decision on that yet," he said.