Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad was notably absent at Bersatu's Jelajah Semarak ceramah in Ipoh tonight.

Apologising for his father's absence, Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir said his father had been ill for over a week.

"Actually, Tun M had been sick for more than a week. He has a cough and high fever.

"Despite this, he has continued to attend events in the morning but due to doctor's advise, he can't attend events at night," he told the crowd.

However, a recorded message from Mahathir was aired at the ceramah.

Mukhriz in his speech addressed Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's claim that Umno's defeat would wreck (bangsatkan) the Malays.

Mukhriz pointed out that institutions crucial to the Malays but were being plagued by scandals, such as Felda, Mara and Lembaga Tabung Haji, are themselves led by Malay leaders.

"And the biggest of all, 1MDB.... who is responsible? The adviser to the 1MDB board of advisers who is also the Pekan Umno division chief and Umno president.

"Are we still going to believe that Umno losing would wreck the Malays?

"It is the current Umno leadership that is wrecking the Malays right now," he said.

Mukhriz also implored to those present that they should not fear to support Pakatan Harapan.

He claimed some Umno supporters have been reluctant to defect to Bersatu, citing threats that their small contracts and employment with the government may be terminated.

However, he stressed that their votes would be secret and there was no way for the ruling coalition to impose retribution on them.

Also present at the ceramah was Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and the Perak Bersatu leadership.

The Jelajah Semarak is part of Bersatu's nationwide ceramah blitz.