The Citizens’ Declaration brought former adversaries to the same table, but nothing was more bizarre than witnessing Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Lim Kit Siang joining forces.

Since then, both veterans had to repeatedly explain the decision to their respective supporters and critics, some of whom considered it an act of betrayal.

In his latest blog post, the former premier pointed out that he was forced to tango with the DAP strongman because Umno had changed its tune.

“I would not be with Kit Siang if Umno was the same Umno founded in 1946,” he said.

Mahathir also argued that since he was no longer a member of any political party, he was free to join any movement.

“As a Malaysian citizen, I joined the citizens’ movement to vanquish (Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul Razak). If Kit Siang is in this movement, he is also a citizen.

“It is only in the efforts and intention to remove Najib that we agree,” he added.

Mahathir pointed out how Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah was allowed to challenge him for the Umno presidency in 1987 and the latter's supporters did not face any consequences.

He said after the Umno split, Tengku Razaleigh and his supporters were eventually allowed back into Umno when they dissolved their splinter party Semangat 46.

"This was the Umno way, (other) leaders and members were free to criticise and challenge leaders," he added.

Likewise, Mahathir said he allowed Anwar Ibrahim to defend himself before dismissing him as Umno deputy president and faced heavy criticism from the latter’s supporters for the move.

Mahathir added he also appointed Musa Hitam, a former foe as the special envoy to the United Nations.

"Everything I did was based on democracy. But today Najib cannot be challenged as president or be criticised. Anyone who criticises him would be sacked from the party," he claimed.

‘Najib ignored rulers’ advice’

For the same reason, Mahathir said Umno members were fearful to support his cause against Najib.

"How many branch chiefs who criticised Najib have been warned, have had their businesses disturbed and various other pressures," he added.

Mahathir also noted that BN MPs had done nothing to stop the National Security Council (NSC) Bill, which would grant the NSC led by the prime minister emergency-like powers.

"All quarters within and outside the country criticised this law. The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and other rulers refused to endorse this law.

"His royal highness and other rulers asked that it be reviewed and the provisions in this law to be refined.

"Najib ignored all these objections and the rulers' advice. He immediately gazetted the law," he said.

Despite these, he said Umno members were still unwilling to support the criticisms against the prime minister.

As such, Mahathir said he had to resort to joining a peoples' movement against Najib.