“It’s not true. Even in Umno there are members who oppose Najib,” the Islamist party’s president Abdul Hadi Awang told reporters outside Dewan Rakyat.
Mahathir, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman, had declared at the Pakatan Harapan convention on Saturday that any party who stood in the way of the opposition’s goal to ensure straight fights with the Barisan Nasional was in reality a supporter of Najib’s administration.
The elderly statesman took a veiled jab at PAS, suggesting that they were Najib’s supporters after having received “dedak” – a euphemism often used to describe bribes.
Mahathir also took issue with the excuse that a particular party did not want to join PH as DAP was one of its component parties.
While the he did not name the party, it is believed he was alluding to PAS as it has not agreed to an electoral alliance with DAP, PKR, and Amanah against the BN.
The Pakatan Rakyat alliance of PAS, DAP and PKR collapsed last year after an open rift between PAS and DAP. PAS leaders have since said the party would never work with DAP again.
The DAP and PKR formed the Pakatan Harapan alliance with Parti Amanah Negara, which was formed by former PAS leaders who were known to be part of the progressive movement in the Islamist party.
Hadi went on to state that PAS was firm on taking the middle ground and would not blindly support or oppose anyone.
“There is a time to support and there is time to oppose,” the Marang MP said, adding that it was up to Mahathir to claim as he liked.