DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang today rekindled his battle with his old political foe, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, by challenging the latter to a debate on whether Malays have lost political power in the country.

In a statement today, Kit Siang asked if Malays have indeed lost political power after 57 years of the country being ruled by Umno, with six Prime Ministers from the same party having helped the premiership in the country.

"I challenge Mahahtir ( left ) to a public debate on whether the Malays have lost political power and been reduced to be beggars in their own land after 57 years of Umno government under six Umno prime ministers," he said.

He also said that Mahathir is not in "retirement" as claimed by the latter, but is instead in a "hyper-active" mode.

"Mahathir is not in retirement, but is hyper-active in speaking engagements to continue his  fear-mongering, incitement of hate and spreading of  lies," he quipped.

He also flayed Mahathir for being an "evil influence" instead of being a "benign influence" on Malaysian politics.

"(Mahathir's statements) represent the last gasp of Mahathirism to prevent the politics of inclusion replacing the politics of exclusion in Malaysia," he added.

Kit Siang stressed that whilst he always had the greatest of respect for all Malaysian PMs during the former's 48 years in politics, Mahathir has now "denegrated" to a stage where he appears to approve of Malay rights group Perkasa's attitude.

"I feel sad that Mahathir has degenerated to a stage where he could look with approval at the gangsterish and boorish misconduct of the Perkasa demonstrators in Penang and Ipoh last Friday," Kit Siang said.

On Friday, Perkasa staged a protest against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over the latter's remarks that non-Muslims in Penang can use the word "Allah".

During the protest, they called Guan Eng a "holy pig" amongst others.

"I am shocked that Mahathir could approve of such gangsterish misconduct by Perkasa, showing  his approval of their demonstration but silent on their boorish behaviour," Kit Siang noted.