Anybody who feels that the DAP act contrary to its principles can leave the party, for nobody is indispensable, says senior DAP leader P Ramasamy.

Ramasamy said the party has decided to work with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to fight the "corrupt Umno regime" for a better Malaysia.

He said those who quit the party, such as former Chai Leng Park branch publicity secretary Shamser Singh Thind, will not bring cause any repercussions to DAP.

"The party is strong and the struggle continues. If the party is not strong, why would Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak spend so much time bashing the DAP at the Umno AGM?

"They are scared of the DAP, " said Ramasamy, asked Ramasamy, who is also state DAP deputy secretary and Penang deputy chief minister II.

He said Shamser had the right to resign but he should not speak for others to say there is a lot of disatisfaction in the party due to the leadership's decision to join forces with Mahathir, who chairs the new Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

"DAP is a political party and there is bound to be some disatisfaction. But in the recent convention, there was overwhelming support, not so much for the party decision or Mahathir, but that we are facing the elections and a corrupt Umno," said the Prai assemblyperson.

"We need as many friends as possible, especially friends who give priority to the country and well-being of the people," he added when met after the launch of the SME Franchise 360 Degrees Conversion event in Seberang Jaya, Penang, today.

Ramasamy said "politics is the art of the possible" and Pakatan Harapan needed friends to ensure BN and Umno fall in the 14th general election.

He asked, "What is so bad about it? What is the duty of the opposition? To undermine and bring down the BN.

"Which laws say we cannot do it? If we are in power, BN will do the same, this is the game in politics. "

On Sunday, Shamser (photo) issued his letter of resignation letter from the DAP, saying he is leaving as he believes that for making amends with Mahathir, DAP is no longer a platform to fight against "corruption, racism and hypocrisy".

During the DAP's convention on Sunday, the late DAP chairperson Karpal Singh's daughter, Sangeet Kaur Deo, urged the party to ensure that principles are not sacrificed for political expendiency.

'No permanent foes in politics'

Defending the party's decision to work with Mahathir, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said there are no permanent foes in politics.

Mahathir made an unexpected appearance at the convention that day.

Ramasamy said if Shamser had suffered under Mahathir, like DAP senior leader Lim Kit Siang and PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, and fought for the DAP long, he could speak to some extent.

"I want to ask Shamser, what has he said about the 1MDB? What about the millions which went into Prime Minister Najib's bank account? I have not heard anything so far.

"I do not want to personalise the issue, for the man has resigned. No one in the party is indispensible. I am not, and so is Guan Eng. New members come in, this is the history of DAP and every other party," he added.

On the party's need to stick to permanent principles, Ramasamy said the DAP has not stopped doing so.

He said if somebody repents and want to join the DAP to bring down a corrupt regime, members should not push him out.

"If Kit Siang can forgive him, who are the others who never fought for the party? If Anwar, who suffered under Mahathir can accept him, what is the problem with others?" he asked.

"If you feel this is in contradiction to the principles in the party, you can leave. The party and its struggles go on," Ramasamy said. "We are all here to have a better Malaysia."