In a brief response, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said those accused of planning to form a new government without DAP and Amanah could attempt to do so.

"They can try," he told journalists when quizzed on the matter in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

Yesterday, the Pakatan Harapan secretariat claimed Hishammuddin was pushing for a new government, excluding DAP and Amanah, and that his writings showed a desire to return to race-based policies and governance.

The statement was jointly inked by Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Abdullah, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution, Bersatu secretary-general Marzuki Yahya, Amanah secretary-general Anuar Tahir and DAP national organising general Anthony Loke.