BINTULU, Dec 1 — Prime Minister  Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad tonight launched Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) Sarawak at  the Bintulu Civic Centre.

Dr Mahathir said he was amazed by the attendance which certainly showed the people of Sarawak wanted PPBM to come to the state.

Dr Mahathir was accompanied by his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali. Among the PPBM leaders present were deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, vice president Datuk Abdul Rashid Ansari, secretary-general Senator Datuk Marzuki Yahya, Women’s wing chief Datuk Seri Rina Harun and Supreme Council member and Sarawak PPBM coordinator Datuk Seri Mohd Reduan Yusuf.

Mahathir  is also  chairman of the federal ruling coalition Pakatan Harapan, which is made up of PPBM, DAP, PKR and Amanah,  as well as chairman of PPBM.

This is Dr Mahathir’s first visit to the oil and gas town of Bintulu since he assumed the prime ministership for the second time after the 14th general election on May 9.

He is scheduled to depart for the federal capital tomorrow morning. — Bernama