SHAH ALAM, Nov 12 ― Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad formally sought to enter his Umno breakaway party to be a part of the Pakatan Harapan alliance today.

At the inaugural Pakatan Harapan convention here, the former prime minister who is now chairman of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) called for the Opposition parties to form a framework similar to the Barisan Nasional (BN) to enable a successful straight contest at the 14th general elections due by 2018.

“We have to use the same strategy as BN. We must be united as one. We must contest as one party and use one symbol and have a single manifesto,” Dr Mahathir said in his speech.

“PPBM today is part of Pakatan Harapan. We want to be together with all other parties in Pakatan Harapan,” he added.

The longest-serving prime minister of 22 years said he was able to win five elections and stayed in power only because of a fractured Opposition.

“I used to be in BN. I won five times not because of BN's prayers but because the Opposition was all over the place.

“The only way to defeat BN is by being united. Being united here is being one as one party with one manifesto,” he emphasised.

The 91-year-old also said his party has no qualms in adopting the “Reformasi” agenda, despite being against it before.

He also denied allegations that PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was now hesitant on forging ties with Pakatan Harapan.

“It is not true that Muhyiddin is against PPBM and Pakatan Harapan working together. He is together with me and has agreed that we would be together,” Dr Mahathir said.

The former Umno president said a discussion would happen soon with Pakatan Harapan on deciding upon a common logo and name for the coalition to use in the next elections as a single party. 

Dr Mahathir also said getting PAS on board Pakatan Harapan is vital to avoid multi-cornered seat fights against BN as that would mean a sure loss for the Opposition .

“We are still discussing with them. If there is a three-cornered fight, we are confident that we will lose.

“We have to explain to them that if they are not together, the Opposition will lose and BN will win,” he said.

Dr Mahathir also dismissed rumours that he is filling in as the de facto Opposition leader in the absence of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is currently serving a five-year jail sentence.

“I'm just the chairman of PPBM,” he said.