DAP senator Liew Chin Tong said today that Pakatan Harapan needs to come up with a narrative that can unite the people for a national purpose.

He was responding to DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, who stated the party would quit the coalition if it were to abandon its objective of a New Malaysia.

According to Liew, while much focus had been put on the "quit" comment, Lim's driving message was actually about fulfilling Malaysians' aspiration for a better Malaysia. 

"I think that should be the focus – what we should do together. We need a narrative that brings together everyone for a national purpose.

"The problem we are having now is everyone is coming from different ends and are not talking about a national narrative," the deputy defence minister told a press conference after attending an armed forces event in Sungai Besi today.

As Liew noted, the regime change that occurred with the May 9 general election should be complemented by a new way of thinking.

"Regime change will require new thinking. We haven't had any new thinking yet, and we have to consult together on the New Malaysia.

"That is what Lim wanted to convey," he said.

On Thursday, Lim stated that DAP would never be as "spineless" as MCA, and would quit Harapan if its objective of a New Malaysia is abandoned.

“DAP leaders are in government to play an important role to build a New Malaysia and save it from becoming a sham democracy, kakistocracy, failed state and global kleptocracy,” he added.

Speaking on the exodus of Umno MPs, Liew said that it would be pointless for PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad to compete over what is left of Umno.

"There is no point to have a situation where Anwar is forced to work with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and Mahathir is forced to work with former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein.

"The point is what we are here to do – we are here to create a New Malaysia, so what are our programmes, what are our policies, and what is our narrative?"