A senior MCA leader today questioned DAP's sincerity to move away from politics along racial lines, following the latest reported overtures by Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad towards Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (PHM).

MCA publicity chief Ti Lian Ker pointed out while "there is not much difference" in the set-up of Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan, BN component parties had always worked with the respective communities using a proven winning multiracial formula.

This is unlike the DAP, which Ti claimed had repeatedly sacrificed their principles in the quest for more power.

"So is DAP genuine in wanting to take away Malaysians from politics along racial lines when they attacked MCA and BN who are multiracial in spirit and deeds?

"DAP is even prepared to lower themselves to kowtow to (Pakatan Harapan chairperson) Dr Mahathir Mohamad who had declared and announced DAP as 'communists' before," he said.

Ti also accused the DAP of continuing to co-operate covertly with PAS, for example in Selangor where the latter remains part of the Harapan-led state government.

This was despite DAP openly severing ties with PAS in 1999 under Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah and Barisan Alternatif, and in Selangor under the now-defunct Pakatan Rakyat, he added.

"It is even more obvious now that DAP is coveting more power and willing to work with all and sundry for more power.

"They are now so ‘pally-pally’ with their arch-nemesis Mahathir that they have subscribed to his racial formula of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) for Bumiputra, Hindraf for Indians and DAP for Chinese," he further claimed.

Citing Mahathir's reported statement that there was a need to approach PHM because Indians are not well represented in Harapan, Ti claimed that the DAP is today willing to sacrifice their principles and follow the former premier's lead.

"What says DAP now? Does the Rocket now admit that it has long subscribed to politics along racial lines now that Dr Mahathir is openly adopting Bersatu and managing PH (Harapan) along racial lines?" he asked.

Mahathir had on Thursday reportedly met with PHM chief P Waythamoorthy at the Perdana Leadership Foundation to discuss a possible collaboration.

The idea was met with a positive reception from several Harapan leaders.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang had, when asked for comments, reportedly said that his party would be open to the idea of Hindraf becoming a Harapan partner.