Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today submitted an application to the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to register the much debated new political party.

If approved, the new party – Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) – will see the former deputy prime minister as president and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as chairman.

Muhyiddin arrived at the RoS headquarters here around 3.15pm to make his submission and exited the building at 3.55pm.

"We hold close the assurance given by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that our application will be considered for approval, so I hope for a speedy approval process," Muhyiddin told reporters at the site after submitting the forms.

He said party membership is open to all Bumiputra but non-Bumis could also apply as allied members.

"Membership is open to Malaysian citizens of Bumiputra status including Orang Asli, Sabah and Sarawak natives as defined in the Malaysian Constitution.

"The membership is also open to all other Malaysian citizens as associate members. They have the same rights as normal members, except for voting or contesting for any posts within the party.

"Bersatu is inclusive, progressively dynamic and open-minded. Our agenda is to preserve the rights and welfare of every citizen, regardless of race and religion," said Muhyiddin.

Dr Mahathir, however, was not present today due to being admitted to the National Heart Institute for chest infection.

Meanwhile, speaking to Astro AWANI, leader of youth group Challenger, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman confirmed that seven names have been submitted to the RoS as the party’s initial committee members.

Besides Dr Mahathir, Muhyiddin and Syed Saddiq himself, the other four are former Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, former Langkawi Wanita UMNO member Anina Saadudin, Gabungan Ketua Cawangan Malaysia (GKCM) president Kamarul Azman Habibur Rahman, and Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi who is the son of former UMNO treasurer Tan Sri Sanusi Junid.

Before this, Dr Mahathir had announced that he would form a new political party that would ally with Pakatan Harapan to go against Barisan Nasional in the next general election.