DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang has urged Malaysians to stop spreading fake news and false information as the first step to nurture the bond of oneness.

All must step up in this direction so that the Malaysian dream can be achieved, Lim said.

"In our plural society today, you still have the Chinese who are living completely in their world, Malays who live completely in the Malay world and Indians who are living in their own world. The same goes for the Ibans and Kadazans.

"Our greatest challenge is how to reach out to them and share with them the larger Malaysian picture and perspective - to share our ideals that this nation belongs to all of us," Lim said at a press conference today.

However, he noted that it would indeed be a challenging process.

Lim said the Penang flood, which saw Malaysians stepping forward regardless of race and religion to help the victims, should be a lesson for all.

"But can this spirit of oneness as Malaysians, transcending race, religion, region or party politics, prevail in our country ?" he asked.

"Let us take the first step to ensure that Malaysians unite for the greater good by halting all fake news and false information in the country."

Lim, who is also the Gelang Patah MP, said he was the most demonised political leader in the past 50 years.

"I was accused of being a communist... I was painted as quite a devil, a puaka (evil person), jembalang (goblin), anti-Malay and anti-Islam," he lamented.

He said he was also painted as a stooge of foreign power although Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had paid homage to US President Donald Trump in the US and offered to strengthen US' economy.

Meanwhile, he said his party and Pakatan Harapan allies will continue to strive to change the government, despite the various prognosis that stated the opposition may fare badly.

"(Such prognosis) published one after another...Does Malaysiakini agree?" he asked.

"The Prime Minister's Office and the premier himself even said they can win big, not only win big, but two-thirds majority," he added.

"But, the chance is open whether there is going to be a new government. But, it would be a disaster for the country if BN wins big or the two-thirds majority," he added.

The Economist has speculated that the 14th general election might be held next February after the Chinese New Year celebration.

Describing this as a “sweet spot” to hold the polls, the publication, however, predicted a “bitter outcome” for the opposition.