In a departure from his remarks just three weeks ago, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he is not fond of having a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

"Personally, I don't like a two-thirds majority. I want a strong opposition," Mahathir said when asked if the welcoming of Umno defectors by Bersatu was an effort to boost Pakatan Harapan's numbers in the Dewan Rakyat

However, he said, the entry of vetted Umno MPs into Bersatu would strengthen both the party and Pakatan Harapan.

On Nov 28, when Bagan Serai MP Noor Azmi Ghazali and four ex-Umno senators joined Bersatu, Mahathir said they were being accepted as the government did not have a two-thirds majority, and could not deliver on some of its promises.