Dr Mahathir, the PPBM chairman, said he was amazed by the attendance which certainly showed the people of Sarawak wanted PPBM to come to the state.

Dr Mahathir was accompanied by his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

Among the PPBM leaders present were deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir, vice-president Abdul Rashid Ansari, secretary-general Senator Marzuki Yahya, Women’s wing chief Rina Harun as well as Supreme Council member and Sarawak PPBM coordinator Mohd Reduan Yusuf.

Dr Mahathir is also chairman of the federal ruling coalition Pakatan Harapan, which is made up of PPBM, DAP, PKR and Amanah.

This is Dr Mahathir’s first visit to the oil and gas town of Bintulu since he assumed the prime ministership for the second time after the 14th general election on May 9.

He is scheduled to depart for the federal capital tomorrow morning.