DR Mahathir Mohamad’s invitation to Malay parties to join Bersatu is a logical way of strengthening its position, said Mohamad Sabu.

The Amanah president said it was the prime minister’s right to issue the invitation and it was up the Malay parties if they wanted to accept or reject the offer.

“Ya, it’s his political party and it is understandable that he wants it to be strong. It’s up to members of other parties to join him.

“Nevertheless, the Malays must have the strength and power, especially in Pakatan Harapan, so the government will be seen as balanced and strong in the time to come,” the defence minister said at parliament lobby today.

Mohamad said he was unsure if the invitation will be discussed at the PH presidential council meeting this evening, but members were free to raise it.

Bersatu chairman Dr Mahathir invited all Malay parties, including Umno, to join Bersatu in efforts to unite the Malays last Friday.

“If we are split, we become weak, united we stand, divided we fall (bercerai roboh, bersatu teguh). (But) we find that there are people forming new parties, (now) we have become six, soon there will be 10, (then) 100. There are 30 people in one party, How to win (the election),” he said after the Johor Bersatu Aidilfitri open house at the Dewan Serbaguna Johor Jaya last Friday. – July 8, 2019.