IPOH, Apr 26 — DAP's Lim Kit Siang continued fending off criticism of his party's cooperation with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, denying today that he has forgotten the actions of the former prime minister.
In a speech at the Central Point Foodcourt here, the incumbent Iskandar Puteri MP acknowledged that there were still questions about the unlikely collaboration.
“We have forgiven him but we will not forget his past deeds to us,” Lim told the crowd.
“People asked if we have forgotten it was Dr Mahathir who put me and party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng behind bars. No, we did not forget. In fact, our previous criticism against him still stands and we will not retract these.”
However, Lim said he and his son were willing to set these aside for the sake of future generations.
He added that this was not the first time sworn political enemies became allies.
“If China's Chairman Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai Shek can work together, why can't we?” he asked attendees.
Lim added that Election 2013 has shown that Malay support was essential to win federal power, which was why Dr Mahathir was needed in Pakatan Harapan's campaign.
He pointed out that federal opposition parties already demonstrated they could win the popular vote then with the support of urban and semi-urban seats.
“If the rural Malays join us this round, we can make it,” he said.
The two Lims were among the 106 people detained without trial during the 1987 Ops Lalang crackdown, among the most notorious incidents from Dr Mahathir's time as prime minister.
