KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 19): The Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition has no intention to interfere with matters related to leadership in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, according to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak [BN-Pekan].

Najib, who is also BN's advisory board chairman, said he was not aware of a "dinner meeting" reportedly held last night at the residence of PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali [PH-Gombak] with two dozen BN members of Parliament, including former defence minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein [BN-Sembrong].

"I only learnt about it in media reports, I will have to talk to the BN MPs who (reportedly) attended (the meeting) to know whether it is true. I was not invited, and I don't want to be invited," Najib told reporters during a short break in his trial on the alleged tampering of 1MDB audit report.

He was asked whether BN is being divided into two factions, with one supporting PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim [PH-Port Dickson] to succeed as the new Prime Minister, while the other backing Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad [PH-Langkawi] to stay on.

"That is PH's problem in leadership. BN's focus now is to be a constructive opposition, and to champion the interest of the Rakyat (people). We are not involved in their (PH) leadership matters," Najib said.

Several local internet news portals reported yesterday that the meeting was to stop a political attempt to accelerate Dr Mahathir's resignation and make way for Anwar.