Reiterating a flashback, Lim Kit Siang said Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali "frantically" sought his help in the 1970s to escape detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

He questioned how come Ibrahim did not consider him objectionable as a so-called anti-Malay and anti-Islam politician at that point.

During that period, Ibrahim was a student leader while Lim was the parliamentary opposition leader.

The veteran politician said he raised this issue some five years ago, and Ibrahim did not dare challenge it.

"This shows the quality of leadership of the Perkasa chief," he added in a media statement.

Lim was responding to Ibrahim's statement yesterday that he suffered sleepless nights after the DAP declared it is not anti-Malay or anti-Islam.

He claimed to be shocked by the statement and said he could not sleep for 50 hours.

Describing the remarks as comical, Lim said: "Clearly, Ibrahim Ali was still talking when sleep-walking."

The DAP leader once again pointed towards the demonisation of his party and its leaders as planning to undermine the position of Malays and Islam.

"I have been in politics for 50 years, but suddenly, I and other DAP leaders have been demonised as anti-Malay and anti-Islam.

"Why were such lies and falsehoods not used on such massive scale against me in my 50 years of politics, until very lately – particularly after the 13th general election in 2015?" he asked.

The answer, according to Lim, is obvious.

He claimed that the sudden escalation in the campaign of lies, fear and hatred stems from the fear of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Umno propagandists of a defeat in the next general election.

"The escalation of the demonisation campaign against DAP stems from the Umno leadership's fear of weakness and insecurity and not sense of strength and righteousness," he added.

Lim also reiterated that the next general election is not a battle between the Malays and Chinese for political power as the Malays would never lose political power.

A recent study had revealed that the demonisation campaign had resulted in Malays living rural areas feeling anger and distrust towards DAP.