Speaking after chairing the Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting here this evening, he said there were already four major Malay parties “because everyone wants to become a party president”.

Mahathir, who is also the PPBM chairman, said the Malays need to learn that politics is a serious matter and not for self-gratification.

“We are not worried about Malay support for PH but another Malay party will not solve the problems of the Malays,” he said.

On Friday, Mahathir had invited all Malay-based parties, including Umno, to join PPBM in efforts to unite the Malays.

He said he found more and more Malay parties were being formed, which reduced the potential of the Malay parties to win the elections.

Mahathir also told reporters this evening he will be at the Dewan Rakyat every Wednesday to answer questions.

“They forced me and I agreed,” he said in jest.

He said PH will set up a committee to study how to deliver the coalition’s election promises, adding that the government delivered many promises “but we are not good in telling people of our success”.

At the press conference, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim was asked whether he would continue Mahathir’s policies once he takes over as prime minister.

Analysts have cited uncertainty over the continuity of policies as one reason why investors were holding back.

Asked about this, Anwar turned to Mahathir and said: “Tun is acting based on Pakatan policies and I am a Pakatan member.”

To this, Mahathir added jokingly that “Pakatan member must follow the leader, if don’t follow we whack (belasah),” to laughter from the room.