KUBANG PASU: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has dismissed claims that he is now the de facto leader of Perikatan Nasional (PN).
Dr Mahathir insisted that his recent meeting with Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang and the party leaders was over Malay unity and had nothing to do with politics.
"There is none of that (being PN de facto leader), all we asked for is that they (Pas leaders) sign the proclamation as a statement of their acknowledgement of the Malay struggle.
"The proclamation has nothing to do with political parties, we only intend to mobilise the Malays because they don't know what is happening to them right now," he told reporters after attending Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House in Kampung Naga here yesterday.
Present was his son Datuk Seri Mukhriz, who is also Parti Pejuang Tanahair president, and its secretary-general Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah.
On Wednesday, PKR communications director Lee Chean Chung congratulated Dr Mahathir for his new "leadership" role in the PN coalition
Lee, in a statement, claimed that Pas' and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's (Bersatu) are now clinging on the strength of Dr Mahathir to remain relevant as their influence was slowly eroding.
On Monday, Abdul Hadi said his decision to work with Dr Mahathir, who is also his former political rival was on the ground of Malay-Muslim unity.
Abdul Hadi said Pas was supportive of Dr Mahathir's efforts to bring together Malay leaders, scholars, political parties and non-governmental organisations.
Last week, a political aide to Dr Mahathir, Abu Bakar Yahya posted several photos of Pas leaders, including Hadi, signing the Malay Proclamation document.
Meanwhile, Mukhriz said Pejuang was open to working with any Malay-based parties for the upcoming state election except for Umno.
The Jitra assemblyman said Pejuang would only consider cooperating with "ethical" Malay parties, stressing that Umno was tainted with corruption.
"We will wait and see, whether it is too late or even too early, we will wait, we are in the process to make a decision (on the state election pact). The party's leadership is discussing this frequently.
"I cannot disclose any details, we are open to discussions with any party, so long as our allies are on the same page as us in the Malay struggle.
"We also understand that there are some parties we can never join forces with and there are also Malay parties that are stained by kleptocracy, that's also a no for us," he said .
Pejuang had earlier applied to join PN but it was turned down by the coalition comprising Pas, Bersatu and Gerakan.
