Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's surprise appearance at the Reformis Malaysia convention drew cheers and jeers.

The 91-year-old was not listed in the itinerary, but he arrived in the midst of the first panel session of the convention and inadvertently interrupted the panel moderator's speech.

The crowd, realising who had just entered the hall, immediately began shouting "Reformasi" (Reformation) and "Bebas Anwar" (Free Anwar), with a few shouts of "Firaun" (Pharaoh).