Dr M makes historic appearance at DAP general assembly

KUALA LUMPUR — Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Sunday (Dec 4) that he has not turned his back on the Malay community by aligning himself with the Democratic Action Party (DAP), as he made a historic appearance at the annual general assembly of the Chinese-majority opposition party.

He pointed out that Malaysia’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, had also stood together with DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang and the late Karpal Singh, who was chairman of the party.

“He was prime minister. Last time I was also prime minister. But just because I stand with Kit Siang doesn’t mean that I have already become a traitor to the Malays.”

This was Dr Mahathir first appearance at a DAP assembly in its 50-year history. He was greeted with loud claps by the delegates present.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said on Sunday Dr Mahathir’s presence is proof that there are no permanent foes in politics.

Acknowledging that his party had fought Dr Mahathir when the latter was premier, Mr Lim rallied members to work with the veteran leader to “save Malaysia”.

“He wants to fight with Najib, he is ready to cooperate with DAP to fight with BN. Why would we not be together with him to fight BN and Umno?” he said in using the acronym for the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition and its mainstay party, the United Malays National Organisation.

Dr Mahathir, who was Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister, quit Umno earlier this year after accusing Prime Minister Najib Razak of corruption linked to state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The Premier has denied any wrongdoing over 1MDB and consolidated power by cracking down on dissenters, stacked his Cabinet with loyalists, and secured the backing of powerful Umno division chiefs.

Dr Mahathir subsequently formed Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and joined hands with the opposition and critics of Mr Najib to oust the Prime Minister.

Aligned with the opposition bloc, the Bumiputera-centric party is made up mostly of former Umno members dissatisfied with Mr Najib.

The former premier also attended a mass demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 19, which demanded that Mr Najib step down.

Dr Mahathir also claimed on Sunday that DAP has a stronger Malaysian spirit than the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a senior Chinese-based party in the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

He said DAP’s party song is in Bahasa Malaysia, the national language, while its membership are multiracial.

“Previously, each time MCA has an annual general assembly, I attend. The difference is DAP, that is said to be a Chinese party, sings their party song in the national language. In MCA, it is not sung in the national language,” he said. He also said he was “proud” that speeches by DAP national chairman Tan Kok Wai and secretary-general Mr Lim were both delivered in Bahasa Malaysia, unlike the MCA.

“Maybe DAP’s Malaysian spirit is stronger than MCA,” he said, to loud claps from party delegates. AGENCIES