Besides "politicking" during a major sports event like the SEA Games, DAP also has a "track record" of offending the nation on major occasions, such as Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Gerakan vice-president Dominic Lau said today.

In a statement, Lau said unlike DAP, Gerakan knows that there are other proper avenues and times for politicking.

"Let our country and the athletes take centre stage during the SEA Games, and not DAP's politics," said Lau, who is also Gerakan's publicity and new media bureau chairperson. 

He was referring to DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang's defence of Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming's jibe on Twitter.

Nga had tweeted a poster on Aug 17 which announced that 1MDB-linked businessperson Jho Low had won a gold medal at the ongoing SEA Games in the category of "running away with money". 

Lau had previously slammed Nga over the joke but Lim had, in turn, said "no one in their right senses" would accuse Nga of linking the 1MDB scandal to the sporting event. 

Lim further derided Gerakan for not speaking out against the 1MDB scandal and said its leaders should not obstruct Malaysians who dared to do so. 

Lau said: "I always believe politicking must not be allowed to compromise national interest, but clearly, Lim and Nga are among the naysayers. They seek to disunite the people by hijacking most major occasions to serve their political purposes.

"If Lim and Nga are so eager to address every issue, why have they been keeping mum on countless issues and scandals implicating DAP leaders and its allies in Pakatan Harapan?"

Lau further alleged that DAP has lost its identity and principles. 

"Gerakan will always stay true to its founding ideology and principles. We are more than just a party - we represent an idea and movement endeavouring towards a Malaysian cause and future.

"Previous electoral setbacks gave us purpose to reflect, learn and come back stronger."