PUTRAJAYA: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is ready to work with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Opposition parties to ensure a win in the next General Election.
"If I can work with (DAP stalwart) Lim Kit Siang, why can't I work with Anwar?,” he told reporters after receiving Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) official approval from the Registrar of Societies (RoS), here today.
Dr Mahathir, who is PPBM chairman, was joined by party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in accepting the certificate of approval from RoS.
Muhyiddin had filed an application to register a new party on Aug 5.
Asked on whether PPBM would be joining Pakatan Rakyat, Dr Mahathir said that Opposition parties including Pas must work together if they want to win the election and defeat Barisan Nasional (BN).
However, he said the matter on PKR joining forces was not discussed during his meeting with Anwar on Monday.
“They (opposition parties) should consider forming a ‘pakatan’ (coalition); if they fight among themselves they will lose and end up unwittingly supporting BN.
“The Opposition parties must cooperate effectively and efficiently so they don’t become weak.
“This is because when they contest as a single party in a three-cornered fight, they are actually fighting for BN,” he told reporters.
On the party membership, Muhyiddin said they will be distributing membership forms on Sept 14 after making some changes to their logo.
He said they are anticipating a lot of new members, including some from other political parties.
“We do not have a specific target but we expect a lot of people coming onboard, based on what we have heard from the ground.
“Membership will be open nationwide with a committee heading it,” he said.
He said potential members can also apply online once the party finalises its official bank account.
PPBM's protem committee members would also be assuming their roles officially in the party as per the constitution, he said.