Activist Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said discussions over the need to form a new party began in early June and intensified during the June 18 twin by-elections in Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar.

“There were a lot of Umno supporters who wanted to support us, but at the same time, felt uncomfortable to switch to the Opposition.

“So they asked for a middle ground, or a party that stands in between the two ends,” he told FMT.

Former prime minister Mahathir had last week, announced that a new party was in the pipeline. Among those he claimed to have expressed interest to participate were former Umno leaders Muhyiddin Yassin, Mukhriz Mahathir and Shafie Apdal.

Among Umno leaders who have slammed the proposal of a new party are ministers Nazri Aziz, Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Azalina Othman Said and Salleh Said Keruak.

All claimed the proposed party was similar to former Umno splinter party, Parti Melayu Semangat 46, formed by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah in 1988 and disbanded in under 10 years.

Syed however rubbished this criticism, saying, “The critical distinction between what Tengku Razaleigh did, and what Dr Mahathir is doing, is that the latter’s motivation is not party politics.

“We are in an unprecedented time, where our country has been highlighted in international newspapers, and where there’s a possible misappropriation of billions of dollars in taxpayers money, among others.

“The fact that there are lots of non-Umno members who are also interested to come on board is indicative that this is more of a national effort.”

When asked if he had plans to get into politics through Mahathir’s proposed party, Syed said he was considering the move.

“I haven’t made up my mind, let’s see how it goes.

“But I am thinking about it since many have already labelled me a ‘politician’. And with the label, comes certain restrictions.

“I have been stopped from teaching or speaking in universities even when my talks have nothing to do with politics. So, maybe it’s time to work towards changing that.”