He also said that his potential collaboration with Azmin, a former PKR deputy president who led the party’s Selangor chapter and was once the menteri besar, would worry many in Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional (BN).

“We used to clash, but we are now on the same team.

“I was actually behind the scenes, helping Azmin win 22 seats in the state election last August and six parliamentary seats in the last general election,” Noh told FMT, adding that he had not made it obvious that he was backing Azmin.

Noh, a former MP who represented Tanjong Karang for six terms, joined Bersatu earlier this month, more than a year after being sacked from Umno for reportedly sabotaging the party.

Selangor PKR secretary Khairuddin Othman said last week that he expected Noh’s move to cause a rift in Bersatu’s state chapter, which is currently led by Azmin.

Speaking to FMT, Noh said Bersatu’s main agenda was to make DAP the opposition once more.

DAP, together with PKR and PAS, had wrested Selangor from BN in 2008 under the Pakatan Rakyat banner.

However, PH and BN were unable to win a two-thirds majority at the state election last year.

Noh also denied claims by former Umno Supreme Council member Tajuddin Abdul Rahman that he was an ingrate and power-hungry, saying he felt sorry for him.

“He was enthusiastic when Ismail Sabri Yaakob became the prime minister, but was left disappointed when he was not appointed to any important positions,” he said.