The Pakatan Harapan presidential council will meet to discuss the new party announced by Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

"The presidential council will meet and issue a statement," said Lim after attending Teoh Beng Hock's seventh death anniversary memorial at Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih.

"Anyone can set up a party in a democratic country, but we also need to look at the party's main purpose," he said.

Lim however declined to comment on DAP's stand on the new party and grand coalition, for fear his remarks would be twisted by those with a hidden agenda.

"As a member of Pakatan Harapan, I wish for us to come out with a team statement," he said.

Meanwhile coalition partner PKR has said it will consider whether to cooperate with the new party or not.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) had turned down the possibility to be with Mahathir's grand coalition, saying it declined to work with the former premier, who it termed the “ex-dictator”.

The party had previously announced its intention to join hands with other socialist parties in the country to form a bloc.

Beside Harapan, there are two more coalition blocs in the country - Gabungan Rakyat Saksama (Saksama) and the third force formed by PAS and Ikatan.

Meanwhile The DAP central executive committee (CEC) will meet tomorrow night to discuss whether to conduct party polls this year, disclosed Lim.

"Of course we will follow our party constitution which (limits) the tenure of secretary-general for three terms. Can you (journalists) wait until tomorrow (for me to comment).

"My tenure has expired, we need to observe our party constitution. This is not something urgent, we will issue a (statement on party polls) by Tuesday," he added.

Lim, who is facing two charges of corruption, needs to relinguish his secretary-general post if DAP decides to conduct party polls this year.

He, however can still participate in the party polls and holds other party positions.

Under its constitution, DAP can extend the holding of the party election for a maximum of 18 months.