An Umno division leader believes that it is best for the opposition to support Anwar Ibrahim to become the next prime minister.

According to Puad Zarkashi, this would allow the PKR president-elect to perform an “internal cleansing” of Pakatan Harapan.

“This includes charging (Prime Minister Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) and (former Council of Eminent Persons chairperson) Daim Zainuddin, whom he accused of being the 'father of corruption'.

“Re-open (Finance Minister) Lim Guan Eng's corruption case. Investigate the extraordinary wealth of Mahathir's children,” he added in a Facebook posting, which was published on Umno Online.

The Batu Pahat Umno division chief said Anwar's must act fast, failing which Mahathir might charge him first and he would not become the prime minister.

Puad, who was also the former director of the special affairs department (Jasa), was responding to those who called for the screening of Umno lawmakers to ensure they are free of corruption before accepting them into Bersatu.

He said if Anwar is serious about Harapan being free of corruption, he should "discard" Mahathir and Daim.

Puad recalled the past speeches of Harapan leaders condemning the pair as corrupt, including Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu accusing Mahathir of being the “father of thieves” in 2015.

Last week, former Kelantan Umno chief and Jeli MP Mustapa Mohamed had joined Bersatu.

Following this, Mahathir's media and communication advisor A Kadir Jasin claimed that at least 40 Umno lawmakers could switch parties.