Transport Minister Anthony Loke dismissed rumours about Umno president Zahid Hamidi allegedly suggesting to collaborate politically with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"We don't waste time on those rumours. There will be continuous rumours here and there. Of course, a lot of opportunists want to destabilise the government.

"As far as we are concerned, the Pakatan Harapan government under the leadership of Mahathir is strong and stable.

"Don't waste time on the rumours," the DAP national organising secretary told the media after attending the Transport Ministry's Chinese New Year celebration in Putrajaya.

Instead, Loke asked all quarters to focus on combating the Wuhan coronavirus.

"We are facing the crisis, the whole world is facing a crisis. We should work on the betterment of the country, fight the virus and restore our industry.

"A lot of industries have been affected because of the virus outbreak.

"I believe all quarters want to focus time and energy to fight the virus and restore our economy."

On Monday, Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Adam released an audio recording claiming that Zahid had tried to convince party leaders during a Jawatankuasa Perhimpunan Muafakat Nasional Umno meeting that the opposition party needed to work with Mahathir.

He said among the reasons Zahid gave were so that Umno would not be deregistered, or left behind as PAS too wanted to work with Mahathir.

Umno information chief Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, however, said Zahid had simply proposed the idea for further discussion.