Dr M's invitation only logical to strengthen Bersatu, says Mat Sabu

Dr Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu has come to the defence of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, saying that a call by the 93-year-old for all Malay parties to unite under Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia was a “logical” remark.

Mohamad, fondly known as “Mat Sabu”, said the invitation by Dr Mahathir was needed to strengthen Bersatu’s position as a political party.

“He wants his party to be stronger and that is normal. It is the right of the members of other parties to (join).

“Nevertheless, Malays must have strength, especially in Pakatan, so the government will be strong and balanced in future.

“The invitation by Dr Mahathir is a logical one,” Mohamad told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby Monday (July 8).

On July 5, Dr Mahathir called for all Malays, especially Umno members, to come together under the umbrella of Bersatu for the sake of unity.

At the same time, Mohamad said the matter might be deliberated in the coming Pakatan Harapan presidential meeting in Putrajaya at 4pm today (July 8).

Meanwhile, he also claimed that he was making inroads into PAS strongholds in Kedah in a bid to entice members of the Islamist party to cross over to Pakatan.

“So, Pakatan will continue ruling in the coming general election. Malay support for Pakatan is increasing, especially after the marriage between PAS and Umno,” he said.

PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that Dr Mahathir’s remarks should be deliberated in the coming Pakatan meeting.

He said that the Bersatu chairman should be given a chance to explain himself.

“We haven’t heard from him, so I think we should give him that opportunity because the meeting is today (July 8).”

Anwar, pressed further by reporters, said that Dr Mahathir does not need to discuss with other Pakatan leaders before making the remark as it was a party matter for Bersatu.

“(But), I’m just saying that in the spirit of the Pakatan coalition, I think he should inform us accordingly. That’s it.”

The PAS-Umno cooperation was formally announced in March 5.

After Barisan emerged victorious in the Cameron Highlands and Semenyih by-elections, Umno and PAS concluded that working together could bear fruit and rattle the Pakatan government.