K KANGSAR POLLS DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang disagrees with former Perak menteri besar Nizar Jamaluddin's stance that the Kuala Kangsar by-election is a "divine retribution".

"I do not agree with Nizar's statement, and I don't agree with (Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad) Zahid Hamidi, who told Nizar to repent," Lim said when met in Kuala Kangsar.

Lim said Zahid should instead repent for condoning Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's actions, as he had shamed Malaysia with the 1MDB "global financial scandal".

On Monday night, Nizar claimed the by-election was to teach Najib and Zahid a lesson for their role in the 2009 Perak crisis, which saw BN taking over the state government.

This prompted Zahid to urge Nizar to repent, the next day.

But Nizar said he stood by his remarks, claiming that it was how he interpreted the event.

However, Lim declined to respond when asked if Nizar was being insensitive and should retract his statement.

The Gelang Patah MP also ticked off Umno for running out of talent with its choice of candidate.

"Umno is in trouble. It is unprecedented in Umno to choose a widow to contest in a by-election.

"Could it be that there is no suitable talent? It is very clear that Umno is divided," he said.

Lim urged Umno members in both constituencies to vote for Amanah candidates, given that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak lacked moral authority in the wake of the 1MDB and RM2.6 billion scandals.

"The prime minister has lost his moral compass, not knowing what is wrong and right.

"I call for a new political realignment: let Umno and PAS members in both constituncies rise above petty party politics to join more Malaysians to save Malaysia," he said.

He also called for a public inquiry into the helicopter crash incident in which six people were killed, including the two BN parliamentarians, in Sebuyau, Sarawak, on May 5.

"There should be a public inquiry to determine the cause," he said.