KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 29): Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Annuar Musa said Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) is courting Umno parliamentarians to strengthen the party's position in Pakatan Harapan.

"Some were invited directly, others through an intermediary. The bottom line is that the idea of strengthening PPBM is coming from certain quarters," Annuar said.

Speaking outside the Dewan Rakyat, Annuar said he personally thought there is a need to support the sitting prime minister, although there are some challenges to do so.

"At the moment, excessive politics could be unhealthy. I think whatever steps to strengthen the role of the prime minister as the executive chief (should be seen) as an option,“ he said.

"We understand PPBM is too weak with 13 parliamentary seats and [Pakatan] could be unstable.

"However, we [Umno leaders] have a huge responsibility [to those who voted for us] — we won using Barisan Nasional ticket.

PPBM, which is led by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, is currently the smallest party in the Pakatan coalition.

Veteran journalist Datuk A Kadir Jasin, who is media chief at the Prime Minister's Office, said last week that 40 MPs in Umno — currently still the single biggest party in Parliament by seat count — have met with PPBM leaders on the possibility of crossing over.

On a separate matter, Annuar said Barisan Nasional will not be proposing an alternative budget in response to the government’s Budget 2019 that will be presented on Friday.

"But we are compiling our ideas and economic initiatives, to be tabled to the government for their consideration," he said.