Pakatan not accepting Malay parties, only inviting members to join coalition (updated)

PUTRJAYA: Pakatan Harapan is not calling for other Malay-based parties to join forces, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.  

The Prime Minister, who is also Pakatan chairman, clarified his earlier call for Malays to join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

He said that the existing four Malay-based parties can do the job of looking after their interests without forming new parties.

Asked to explain his call for Umno members to join Bersatu, Dr Mahathir said the party cannot join Pakatan, but its members can join parties in the coalition.

The Prime Minister added Malays do not need more parties representing them to avoid disunity.

He said it was better if they are united to ensure they are not left behind.

"This was what I explained to the other parties in Pakatan and they expected this.

"And no, they did not sebat (spank) me (for making that statement)," he said to reporters after chairing the Pakatan presidential council meeting on Monday (July 8).

On Friday (July 5), Dr Mahathir made a call for Umno members to join Bersatu, since political division among the Malays was growing.

Dr Mahathir is Bersatu's chairman.