“If I can work with Lim Kit Siang, why can’t I work with Anwar?” Mahathir said when met by reporters here today.
He said this when asked if the two had talked about possible cooperation between his Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and Anwar’s PKR, when they met at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
Mahathir said such cooperation was not discussed at their historic meeting, their first since he sacked Anwar as his deputy 18 years ago, almost to the day.
Anwar and Mahathir last met on September 2, 1998.
The PPBM Chairman said cooperation between Opposition parties was needed if they want to win the next General Election.
“When (the Opposition) contests as parties separate from an Opposition pact, they are actually fighting for Barisan Nasional (BN), because in a three-corner fight, there is a big possibility that BN would win, not the other parties.
“The same goes if there are parties that don’t want to join (the Opposition pact), they are actually fighting for BN, ensuring that BN remains as the government of Malaysia,” Mahathir said.
Asked about PAS’ participation in an Opposition coalition, Mahathir said this would be up to them and the other parties.
Mahathir was speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Registrar of Societies to finalise the approval for PPBM.
Early last month, former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin filed an application to register the party, with him being the protem president.
Mahathir’s son, Mukhriz, who is also former Kedah menteri besar, is the protem vice-president. Meanwhile, former Langkawi Umno member Ainina Saadudin is the treasurer.
PPBM’s membership is for Bumiputera citizens only – including those from Sabah and Sarawak – although, it is also open to all other Malaysians, but only as associate members.
Muhyiddin had previously said the party’s main agenda included institutional reforms and the pursuit of justice in order to protect the rights of every Malaysian citizen.