Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad said if he can work with DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, then there is no issue with him working with his former nemesis Anwar Ibrahim.

The veteran former Umno leader was responding to media questions if he had held discussions with the PKR de facto leader for cooperation with his newly formed party Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

"No, I did not discuss, but if I can work with Kit Siang, why can't I work with Anwar?" he said when met at the Registrar of Societies (ROS) today to receive official approval for his new party.

Mahathir surprised the nation this week when he showed up in court to shake hands with Anwar in an unprecedented cordial encounter.

The long-time former prime minister had constantly criticised Anwar since the latter was sacked as his then deputy in 1998.

Yesterday, Umno Selangor leader Noh Omar laughed off the change of heart as a Hindustani drama.

'Avoid three-cornered fights'

Meanwhile, Mahathir today urged opposition parties to avoid three-cornered fights in elections, saying that this would only work in BN's favour.

“From my experience, if the opposition parties do not work together, they will lose in the elections, just as what happened in 1959.

“When they compete as separate parties instead of as an opposition pact, they are actually fighting for BN to win.

“So we hope we will work together so that all opposition parties cooperate as a pact, so that there are no three-way fights,” he said.

When asked if he was referring to PAS as well, Mahathir replied: “I said all opposition parties, including PAS.”

On Bersatu's stance on the upcoming Bersih 5 rally, Mahathir said party members could join the protest if its aim is to fight for a clean government.