Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has defended Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's remarks that Pakatan Harapan will accept Umno member as long as they become "independent" first.

"We are definitely open to whoever who wants to be with us, because we want the rakyat to unite to rebuild the country," she told reporters after attending a buka puasa event in Lembah Pantai today.

While she conceded that there may be differences between the parties and in their opinions, she emphasised unity was what they wanted to strive towards.

Previously, Mahathir had said that Harapan would not accept Umno members joining them due to the uncertainty surrounding its (Umno's) legal status.

This was due to their postponement of party elections especially after a group of 16 ex-Umno members filed a judicial review to quash the Registrar of Societies' decision to allow Umno a time extension to hold its party elections.

However, he was yesterday reported saying that Harapan will now accept Umno members who have become "independent" first.