While ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad received thunderous applause for his historic appearance at the DAP national convention, some party leaders fear it may prove counter-productive, especially for Peninsular Chinese and Kadazan communities.

These were expressed by DAP elected representatives, Sim Tong Him and Chan Foong Hin who are from Melaka and Sabah respectively.

As a DAP veteran, Sim (photo) opined that the party should not have invited Mahathir to the party convention.

Pessimistic about Mahathir's ability to pull Malay votes for DAP, he cautioned that the move may scare away the party's traditional Chinese voters instead, mainly due to dissatisfaction about former PM's perceived tyranny during his rule.

"I don't think it's necessary, this leaves an impression that both sides are using each other... How much can he (Mahathir) help to reduce Malay prejudice against DAP anyway?

“I think since Bersatu is not in Pakatan Harapan, it would be odd if we allow Mahathir and (Bersatu president) Muhyiddin Yassin to attend (the DAP convention),” the Kota Melaka MP added.

Sim said the party could not only think of the benefit brought by Mahathir, but ignore its cost.

“We couldn't take Chinese urban supporters for granted. We couldn't too optimistic, it is important to stabilise our traditional voter base.”

According to the feedback received, he said Mahathir's alliance with DAP has worried Chinese supporters.

“Many people are worried about Mahathir. This disappointed them and they may become fence-sitters. The party should pay attention to this.”

Bitter pill for Kadazan grassroots

Chan, who is Sri Tanjong state assemblyperson, admitted he was baffled by the former prime minister's presence in the DAP convention.

This, he said, is because the local DAP has maintained lukewarm ties with Bersatu.

“I couldn't ignore his presence. We may have distanced ourselves with Bersatu as long as the party did not step in Sabah.

“But he came without warning.” added the Sabah DAP secretary.

When Chan (photo) flew back to the land below the wind, he encountered many questions by local grassroots, especially from the Kadazan community.

He said the Kadazan local leaders could not understand why Mahathir is working with DAP as the former prime minister is seen as the mastermind of project IC, despite their belief in DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang's 'wisdom'.

“By rational, DAP must work with Mahathir. But this man (Mahathir) had hurt us before especially for Kadazan community... thanks to Dr M's 'project',” he added.

Also known as project 'M' for the first letter of his name, Mahathir was alleged to involved in the Project IC controversy, which granted citizenship to illegal immigrants, mostly Muslim, and turn them into grateful voters and enable Sabah Umno's continuing grip on the state since 1994.

But Mahathir denied any knowledge of such a project.

Culprit behind Project IC

According to Chan, the Kadazan view Mahathir as the culprit behind project IC which they believe led to the diminished political power of the community.

“Some Kadazan even told me, Najib at his worst stole money, but what Mahathir did is akin to ethnic cleansing. The sentiment is unsurprising...”

He said the abolition of the rotation system for Sabah chief minister at the end of Mahathir's rule further fueled Kadazan dissatisfaction.

The abolition spelled the end of a Kadazan as chief minister after 2003, when the incumbent Musa Aman held the position till now.

“The biggest dissatisfaction of the Kadazan is they have become foreigners in their own land,” added Chan.

Hence, Chan said Sabah DAP needs to have more internal dialogues on this, the best time for which would be on party Christmas celebration at the end of December, which would be attended by Kit Siang himself.

Never forget but can cooperate

However, two other DAP leaders agree with Mahathir's presence at the party's convention.

Bilut state assemblyperson Chow Yu Hui said Mahathir's presence in his once archenemy's convention proved that the ex-premier is determined to work with the opposition to bring down Najib.

Despite Mahathir's previously high-handed measurement against human rights, Chow believes that the ex-PM can still redeem himself.

“DAP did not change its principle but Mahathir abandoned the dark side and is embracing the light side. Mahathir must accept our principle... This is the election strategic cooperation.”

Despite Mahathir not apologising for his past misdeeds, Chow said DAP members can still work with him even if they cannot forget his past.

However it would be good for Mahathir to apologise in order to strengthen the opposition alliance, he suggested.

“If he can apologise for his past mistakes, this will be good for upcoming election... though we never forget his past,” he said, adding that Mahathir's participation can lead to a stronger opposition.

He reminded all that DAP worked with ex-Umno leaders such as first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, ex-minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and ex-deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim before.

Citing Anwar as example, Chow said DAP does not have problems working with one such as he after he had quit the government, as long as the person is willing to embrace the opposition's principles.

Good gesture

Meanwhile, Johor DAP treasurer George Poh Eng Guan appreciated Mahathir's presence at the DAP convention.

Poh said the move is a good gesture from Mahathir to show his sincerity to work with the opposition.

“He publicly admitted his mistake (on his previous impression of the DAP), this is good... I think this could appease the dissatisfaction of the grassroots,” he said, though admitting that he himself has mixed feelings.

Poh believed DAP's core supporters would not be scared off by a Mahathir-DAP alliance.

“I don't think it will lead to a backlash on us, the DAP did not abandon its principle, we still uphold fairness.”

Previously on Nov 25, DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke said the party would not invite Mahathir to the party’s national convention.

However, Mahathir made a surprise appearance at the convention after being soundly lambasted in last week's Umno general assembly.

He even praised the DAP as a true multiracial party and even conceded he previously had the wrong impression of DAP in the past.

Though this did not seem to appease every member.

Penang's Taman Chai Leng DAP publicity secretary Shamser Singh Thind has tendered his resignation in protest over Mahathir's presence at the convention.