SELAYANG, May 23 — Sympathisers wanting to donate to Opposition parties are facing government intimidation, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad alleged last night.

Speaking at a Pakatan Harapan rally here, the former prime minister claimed the Inland Revenue Board was targeting those believed to be funding the Opposition pact.

However, he did not identify any of the people facing such harassment or provide evidence to support the claim.

“Now I heard that anyone who wants to donate to Pakatan Harapan will be harassed by LHDN,” he said using the Malay initials of the IRB.

Dr Mahathir was the main speaker at the rally that featured senior leaders of Pakatan Harapan parties including Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Azmin Ali, DAP national publicity chief Tony Pua and Amanah president Mohammad Sabu.

In his speech, Dr Mahathir also aid the purported harassment was intended to sabotage the pact's preparation for the 14th general election.

The pact's rivals understood that money was vital to running a successful election campaign, Dr Mahathir said.

“You need posters, buntings, and even to register candidates, it all requires money,” he explained.

The former prime minister left Umno for the third time last year over his criticism of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the party’s president and prime minister.

He went on to form Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, which later joined the pact comprising PKR, DAP and Amanah.