When Dr Mahathir Mohamad last attended an opposition function at the Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC) in Shah Alam, he was less than welcome.

Though some at the Reformis Malaysia convention in February cheered for him, many still considered him the enemy then and heckled him.

But February was a lifetime ago in today's politics and things now appear to be very different for Mahathir.

Speaking in the same hall he was jeered at previously, the former prime minister was met with adulation from the 400-strong crowd.

Though most of his material were the same as those who spoke before him, the veteran orator got the most laughs and cheers from the crowd - who gave no hint of what transpired five months ago...