According to Malaysiakini, Mahathir said the parties have agreed not to compete with each other at the polls and are also considering contesting together.

“All of us agreed on the need to move forward together. This includes during elections, because we cannot do much if we do not hold (political) power,” he was quoted as saying at a press conference today.

Accompanying him were PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, Bersatu information chief Razali Idris, Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir and Putra president Ibrahim Ali.

Also present were the former Umno trio of Arau MP Shahidan Kassim, former Ketereh MP Annuar Musa and former Tanjong Karang MP Noh Omar, as well as former Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Mahathir maintained that the Malay Proclamation was not a movement that was opposed to the non-Malays, but was focused on championing the Malay community, whom he said was struggling financially.

The former Langkawi MP also said he will not be taking part in any election, quipping that he had become “senile”.