Pro-PAS NGO Pertahan today formally submitted an invitation to Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad to attend a forum with political analyst Kamarul Zaman Yusoff.

Kamarul had become a subject of ridicule after he openly criticised Mahathir at a forum in Shah Alam last week but turned meek when the former prime minister made a surprise appearance.

Mahathir had asked the Universiti Utara Malaysia academic to say to his face why he was too old to become prime minister again.

Abdul Shakur Sharrie, who is overseeing the organising of the latest forum in Kota Bharu on Thursday, submitted the invitation to the Bersatu headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

In the letter, Shakur said he understood that Mahathir had a programme on that day but hoped that Pakatan Harapan could send a representative for the forum entitled: "Is Mahathir qualified to become prime minister again?".

Shakur also denied that the forum was aimed at getting even at Mahathir.

"The issue of revenge does not arise [...] dialogue in forums is a culture that should be encouraged. It is not about whether it is a trap or not," Shakur told Malaysiakini.

He added that Mahathir had caught the panellists by surprise when he appeared at the Sinar Harian forum last Thursday which was discussing Mahathir's age and suitability to become prime minister.

"If Mahathir becomes a panellist (at the latest forum), perhaps the argument will be different," he said.