DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang’s suggestion that it may be necessary to work with former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad to save the fate of the country would have disastrous consequences.

 

“The question of working with Dr Mahathir is an unimaginable disaster waiting to happen.

 

“His sudden desire to oust Prime Minister Najib Razak is fuelled by a vested interest to ‘save Umno’ and any attempt to work with him would, in the circumstances, be an extension of that aim,” said Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, son of late DAP chairperson Karpal Singh

 

Lim ( right ) in his speech to students in Alexandria, Egypt yesterday said the political turmoil facing both the BN and Pakatan could only be overcome through extraordinary means, and said if this included working hand in hand with Mahathir, he would be willing to do so.

 

Ramkarpal however disagreed, stressing any change should be brought through Pakatan’s efforts.

 

“There can be no doubt that Malaysia needs to be saved. Whilst I agree that Najib ought to go, I cannot agree with the means by which Dr Mahathir proposes to do so.

 

“Asserting pressure on a democratically elected Prime Minister to step down cannot be democratic, and it is high time that the Pakatan Rakyat come together at this very critical time against Umno and the BN,” he said.

'Against Pakatan's principles'

 

In any case, Mahathir today rejected Lim’s idea saying he was not prepared to work with anyone to unseat Najib, particularly the opposition.

 

The former PM said his problem was strictly a matter within Umno.

 

Ramkarpal meanwhile said embracing Mahathir was contrary to what Pakatan stood for.

 

“Dr Mahathir’s concern that if Pakatan Rakyat were to come to power, many would be charged in court and may be found guilty, presumably for corruption related offences, is exactly what the Pakatan Rakyat stands for.

 

“Wouldn’t working with him to oust Najib mean maintaining the status quo and thus allowing such corruption to continue?” asked the first term parliamentarian who won his father’s seat by a landslide after Karpal’s shocking death due to a road accident.

 

“I am firmly of the view that saving Malaysia can only mean a new clean, accountable and transparent government.

 

“Pakatan Rakyat must live up to its promise to Malaysians of being that alternative and democratically oust Najib and the BN through the ballot box.”