Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he is with the DAP as they share similar objectives, but stressed that the party does not own him.

"Yes, I am with the DAP but DAP does not own me. I am on my own.

"We share similar objectives to bring down this kleptocratic government," he said when met at the Jalan Duta court complex in Kuala Lumpur today.

Mahathir was asked to comment on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's speech yesterday, in which the Umno president had taken a swipe at an anonymous ex-Umno leader who was now working together with the DAP.

Mahathir described Umno's mammoth gathering to celebrate its 71st anniversary - a party he once led for 22 years - as a "sandiwara" (show) where people were paid to come.

“University students were taken away from their examinations to attend, and they were given certain exemptions to be there. It's a sandiwara. A show put up with adequate financing and big fanfare, but it does not mean anything,” he remarked.

Yesterday, while speaking to the crowd, Najib said no one could imagine how the former leader betrayed Umno and colluded with its old foe, DAP.

“What is upsetting is that he swallowed his own spittle, and "cium mulut" (kissed) with Umno’s foe because of a personal agenda.

“We will not forget who taught us that the DAP was a racist chauvinistic party, and for decades sowed hatred towards the DAP which was an enemy to Malays and Islam,” Najib had said at the party gathering in Bukit Jalil stadium. 

Malaysiakini  reported today that a large number of Universiti Teknologi Mara and community college students were told they were attending a volunteerism programme but found themselves boarding 110 buses that ferried them to the national stadium in Bukit Jalil.

[More to follow]