KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 — Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) said it would propose a Malay-led coalition, after the Bumiputera-centric party recently joined Pakatan Harapan.

News portal Malaysiakini reported PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as saying in Padang Rengas, Perak, last night that the rights of both Malays and non-Malays would be protected.

"It must be a Malay-led government. I am mentioning this here not because I want to favour anyone, but because I know the majority of the rakyat are Malays," Muhyiddin was quoted saying.

"That's why we have to determine a new political coalition that is sustainable, not something that is only for today but for the long-term," he added.

Muhyiddin reportedly allayed concerns about the new coalition being "Malay-led" and said the DAP and PKR would be "part of the family."

The PPBM president also reportedly suggested that Pakatan Harapan be renamed "Barisan Rakyat" in the federal Opposition pact's fight against the ruling Barisan Nasional.

PPBM officially joined Pakatan Harapan, comprising PKR, DAP and Parti Amanah Negara, on Monday.

The party, whose chairman is former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, restricts non-Bumiputera to associate membership. They cannot vote or contest for party positions, although they may be appointed.