PUTRAJAYA (Aug 29): Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will hold its general assembly simultaneously with party elections on June 20 next year, said chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Prime Minister said the assembly and elections at branch level would be held from Jan 25 to March 1 and at the division level on April 4.

Dr Mahathir said Bersatu has appointed Tan Sri Syed Hamid Syed Jaafar Albar as chairman of the election committee.

"Those who will attend (the general assembly) are the ones who pay the fees. This time, we will collect the fees for two years because we did not collect the fees last year.

"Everyone has to pay RM4 only. Very cheap," he said after chairing the Bersatu Supreme Council meeting here today.

Dr Mahathir said the party would take action against members who make statements that could damage its image.

"There needs to be discipline in the party, particularly among members of the Presidential Council and the Supreme Council. Those who hold positions in the party need to be careful when making statements.

"If they say things that damage the party's image, we will take action against them...this is following a statement that Pakatan Harapan would lose (in the next election)," he said.

Dr Mahathir said Bersatu had never appointed a chief strategist.

“There is no such thing (as Bersatu chief strategist). It is not an official appointment in the party...that is a self-proclaimed title," he said.

He said there were leaders who were under observation and action would be taken if they made statements that were damaging to the party.

"You can make your own conclusions, but not at the expense of damaging the party,” he said.