Lim Kit Siang (left) and Dr Mahathir (right) are seen at the DAP National Conference 2016 at Shah Alam IDCC on December 4, 2016. — Photos by Saw Siow Feng

DAP Penang Bangkok Lane Branch’s Syerleena Abdul Rashid speaking at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng Bandar Utama Branch’s Edry Faizal speaking at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng DAP Pahang Bukit Koman Branch’s Datuk Ariff Sabri speaking at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng The DAP holds its National Conference 2016 at the Shah Alam IDCC, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng The DAP holds its National Conference 2016 at the Shah Alam IDCC, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng The DAP holds its National Conference 2016 at the Shah Alam IDCC, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng The DAP holds its National Conference 2016 at the Shah Alam IDCC, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng The DAP hold its National Conference 2016 at the Shah Alam IDCC, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng The DAP holds its National Conference 2016 at the Shah Alam IDCC, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (fourth left) attending the DAP National Conference, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (right) is pictured sitting next to DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng A delegate posing for a selfie with DAP member National laureate Datuk A. Samad Said at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (right) is pictured sitting next to DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng speaking at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng speaking at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng The DAP holds its National Conference 2016 at the Shah Alam IDCC, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad poses with DAP and Pakatan Harapan leaders at the DAP National Conference 2016 in Shah Alam, December 4, 2016. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng Previous Next

SHAH ALAM, Dec 4 — DAP said today there are no permanent foes in politics as it welcomed Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for the first time ever to its party conference.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng noted Dr Mahathir’s historic appearance at DAP’s conference in the political party’s 50-year history, with party delegates clapping loudly to welcome the former prime minister.

“After 50 years, we fought many opponents, some who even jailed us, yet these very opponents are now our new allies.

“Indeed there are no permanent friends nor enemies, only permanent principles,” he said in his speech at the DAP National Conference today.

“And the abiding principle that unites us is to save a Malaysia that is now in mortal danger, her economy is in crisis, her innocent people are suffering from authoritarian abuses of power and corruption, and our nation is turning into a kleptocracy in the eyes of the world,” he added.

Lim was formerly detained under the now-abolished Internal Security Act 1960 during Dr Mahathir’s administration.

Other guests at the DAP conference today include polls reform group Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah, whom Lim had introduced as a “courageous” woman. She was welcomed with loud applause.

Former Bersih 2.0 co-chair A. Samad Said, former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail were also present as guests at the DAP event.

Later at a press conference, Guan Eng commented on Dr Mahathir’s presence.

“I think this is all in the past, what is most important is save Malaysia. If it is necessary to be detained to save Malaysia, I think all DAP leaders are willing to do so,” he said.

Noting that DAP was “willing to work together” with Dr Mahathir, he said the opposition party is willing to work with anyone who are against the controversy involving 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the RM2.6 billion donation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang was similarly asked for his thoughts on Dr Mahathir’s first-ever appearance.

“Malaysians must be prepared to break new ground. That’s why we are here today, break new ground to reach for the stars,” the former ISA detainee during Dr Mahathir’s rule said.

“That’s what we must do, we must break new ground and not go down the trajectory of a failed state and of a kleptocracy, which we are heading towards,” he added.

When asked when the newly-formed Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) would join federal opposition pact Pakatan Harapan, Dr Mahathir said he would have to first consult with his party colleagues on when such a decision would be made.

The PPBM chairman was also asked about the party seemingly leaving the door open for cooperation with PAS, which DAP was at loggerheads with.

“Well, we are trying to get all those people who claim they are against Datuk Seri Najib’s government to join together because obviously if all opposition parties stand together as a united front, the chances of winning will be better.

He did not rule out the possibility that there could be multi-corner fights in the elections.

“But in case we can’t persuade all, there may be some who may have private ambitions to support Datuk Seri Najib, we will have a three-corner fight or four-corner fight.

“Because this is politics, in politics you can’t arrange everything. If you arrange everything, that is not democracy, that is an autocracy,” he added.

Dr Mahathir, who was formerly Umno president but has left the ruling party, is now chairing the opposition party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).