THE prime minister today denied holding talks with former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein to form a government without DAP and Amanah.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad gave a terse “No” to reporters when asked about it at a function the capital this morning.

Hishammuddin and his associates are free to explore the idea, he said.

“They can try (to realise the idea).”

Yesterday, Pakatan Harapan ticked off Sembrong MP Hishammuddin “and his colleagues”, urging them to stop pushing the idea of a government without DAP and Amanah.

“Hishammuddin, in his writing and interviews, has signalled a tendency that returns to race-based politics and governance,” the PH secretaries-general said in a joint statement yesterday.

“This is outdated politics that completely goes against Harapan’s ideals of inclusiveness.”

The statement – signed by Saifuddin Abdullah (PH), Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PKR), Marzuki Yahya (Bersatu), Anuar Tahir (Amanah) and Anthony Loke (DAP) – said the coalition, along with Warisan in Sabah, was solid, quoting Dr Mahathir in a speech he gave in 1991.

“To create a united Malaysia with shared objectives, Malaysia must be a peaceful country that is regionally and racially integrated, living in harmony and fully cooperating in a just manner.”

According to the statement, PH continues to reject Barisan Nasional principles, which it holds responsible for racism and kleptocracy.

“This was the basis of the mandate that the people delivered in the 14th general election; this duty should not be pawned for political interest.” – October 16, 2019.