DR Mahathir Mohamad today welcomed the support from Umno and PAS, as rumours swirl that a new coalition government Pakatan Nasional is in the works.

Dr Mahathir said every time he received a backing or support, he felt delighted.

“Not just Umno, even PAS, and I told them they can support me. Every time people support me I feel like floating,” said the prime minister.

Umno and PAS can express their support for the government in Parliament, he said.

“If we do something right in Parliament, please support us, don’t just blindly object,” he said but did not add to the comments on talk of a new coalition.

Talk of a new government at the federal level began over the last few days after Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Malay nationalist party must follow PAS’ footsteps and back Dr Mahathir.

By supporting Dr Mahathir, Umno can be relevant again, he said.

However, Supreme Council member, Lokman Adam Noor branded Zahid a spineless leader for wanting to work with Dr Mahathir.

According to Lokman, Zahid gave several reasons Umno should cooperate, partly because PAS is doing so and Umno could not be left behind.

Meanwhile, deputy president Mohamad Hassan said Umno must be cautious and not easily swayed by any offer to forge a political alliance with Bersatu.

The party should consider if such cooperation would be beneficial to it and the Malays in the long term, he said.

“All of this needs to be fine-tuned. Don’t be fooled. Be wise deciding on it,” he said in a Facebook post last night.

However, Khalid Abdul Samad said Pakatan Harapan will not fall apart and will continue to manage the country while dismissing the Pakatan Nasional coalition.

Khalid, who is also federal territories minister, said PH chairman Dr Mahathir will not betray the coalition that he led to victory in the last election nor betray his legacy.

“I have been with Dr Mahathir in the cabinet for a year and I feel he will take care of his legacy that has improved since PH captured power.

“He will not betray the pact and I am confident of this. Now Dr Mahathir is the hero who has brought change by toppling a kleptocratic government

“He is being praised as someone who has saved Malaysia. What will happen if he dumped PH for Pakatan Nasional. What will the public say about him then?” he asked during an interview with Jom Channel last night. – February 6, 2020.