Top PKR leaders have dismissed Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang's claim that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will replace Anwar Ibrahim as the de facto leader in a new federal opposition coalition.

PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar told Malaysiakini that Tan's reported suggestion does not even merit a response.

"I don't even think that merits a response because so far we have been quite clear in waiting for Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"This is because he is (still) a Member of Parliament, a former deputy prime minister and also former deputy president of Umno," Nurul Izzah, the MP for Lembah Pantai, said when met at Menara DBKL 1 in Kuala Lumpur.

Muhyiddin had previously said he was considering whether to set up a new political platform or join an existing political party ahead of the next general election.

Nurul Izzah said she also welcomed Mahathir’s overtures as it underscored the importance of working with all stakeholders.

"These trivial criticisms levelled by a small-time politician (Tan) do not merit a response," she added.

Asked for his comment, PKR vice-president Tian Chua similarly laughed off Tan's (photo) suggestion.

"You can quote me: You think I would lower my standard to respond to him?

"He's a clown, so I don't think anyone takes him seriously," said the Batu MP.

Tan, in a statement yesterday, claimed that the formation of a new opposition coalition by Mahathir would again lead to Anwar's removal, this time as the de facto leader of the opposition.

He also said Mahathir's coalition, as well as the recently formed Gabungan Rakyat Saksama in East Malaysia, were clear signs that more people had lost faith in Harapan.

'No need to replace Wan Azizah'

Kuala Krai MP Dr Hatta Ramli said there was only one opposition leader in Malaysia's parliamentary democracy system and the position is now held by Permatang Pauh MP Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

"We have no need to replace her because she has played her role well in Parliament.

"Any statements or suggestions that there would be a new opposition leader with the formation of a new party should not arise and we are not interested to discuss it," Hatta told Malaysiakini.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said Tan was merely looking for trouble with his statement.

In welcoming Mahathir's proposal to form a new party or coalition, Kok said it does not mean that he would be its key leader.

"We are all leaders. We believe in collective leadership.

"You must also understand that so far his party has yet to be formed. We are the established parties," she said.

Kok added that Harapan welcomes discussions with Mahathir, as long as they share the same goals.

Mahathir last week confirmed there are talks to form a new party as well as a new coalition to further the Save Malaysia movement's objectives.