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24 September 2016

Susan Loone

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang defended yet again his association with former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamed, saying it was for the future of Malaysia.

During his speech at Penang DAP’s 50th anniversary celebration, Lim asked the crowd if they supported the party’s decision to join hands with Mahathir.

This would also involve working with Mahathir’s team, including Umno’s splinter Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), led by former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Many of the participants, sitting at the 306 tables at the dinner held at the Spice Arena in Bayan Baru, put their hands up.

“Mahathir and I were attacked by various quarters, especially by the Malay extremists, for sitting next to the ex-PM during the launch of the Citizens’ Declaration.

“But we look forward and look to the future,” said the Gelang Patah MP.

Lim said by working with Mahathir, he supports a “grand coalition of Pakatan Harapan” to face the coming general elections.

Lim noted that the idea was mooted by Mahathir’s son-cum-former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir, who is also Bersatu vice-president.

He added that DAP is also seeking a change of system, including defeating BN and Umno, and not merely trying to unseat Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

“I support the grand coalition of the opposition to ensure there is no second Najib,” said Lim, to loud cheers from the crowd.

“The people lost hope when Pakatan Rakyat (DAP-PKR-PAS alliance) disintegrated, but we want to create a new hope for the future of Malaysia,” he added.

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/356855?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

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Guan Eng quizzes Ambiga on cooperation with Mahathir

Grilled by Ambiga Sreenevasan at a conference today, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng turned the tables on the social activist and asked why she was willing to work with Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Penang chief minister, in ending a hard-hitting question-and-answer session, asked how Ambiga could reconcile with the former prime minister, given that he is seen as the source of the country’s problems.

To this, the former Bar Council president pointed out that the Penang chief minister’s own father, DAP parliamentary adviser Lim Kit Siang, is able to work with Mahathir.

Ambiga added that the question of her and Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah forgiving the 91-year-old does not arise.

“We are facing a bigger problem that is insurmountable (with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak). Even your father Kit Siang, who was imprisoned (under the Internal Security Act), has managed to put aside his differences, as so with Anwar Ibrahim.

“That really says something about the political reality and this creates a necessity for realignment. Look, I did not face any jail, unlike Kit Siang or Anwar, and even they are willing to go ahead.

“Who am I compared to both of them? I completely agree the entire system is rotten because of the previous regime. However, the country should come first now, before anything else,” she said.

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