DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang may have only been out of action for a month following a cancer operation but there have been several significant developments for Pakatan Harapan since then.

Speaking at his first ceramah following his surgery, Lim noted that among the major developments was Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail being named as Harapan's prime ministerial and deputy prime ministerial candidates respectively.

However, he noted that questions had to be answered, including whether Mahathir as the prime ministerial candidate was the best arrangement to achieve a change in government as well as institutional and systemic reform.

Lim noted that BN had in the last general election won 60 percent of the parliamentary seats despite losing the popular vote with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak describing it as a "Chinese tsunami".

The Gelang Patah MP stressed that it was instead an "urban tsunami" but added that Harapan needs to expand its support base to the rural communities.

"If the Umno/BN is to be defeated in the 14 general elections, then Harapan must be able to do better than Pakatan Rakyat in the 13th general elections, not only to sustain the voting support of those who voted for change... but also to win over the rural voters who had voted (for) and supported Najib and Umno/BN...

"Without the support of the rural Malay voters in the 73 parliamentary seats won by Umno in Peninsular Malaysia in the 13th general elections, no political change, no institutional or systemic reform is possible.

"Hence the Pakatan Harapan decision of Mahathir as prime minister-designate and Wan Azizah as deputy prime minister-designate," he said.

Lim stressed that ultimately, the battle in the 14th general election was not about Najib versus Mahathir but Najib versus Malaysians.

The DAP lawmaker also stressed that Harapan was not only seeking a change in government but also wanted institutional and systemic reforms including the repeal of laws that violated fundamental rights and the restoration of national institutions.

Lim noted questions on whether such reforms will actually be realised with a change of government and made reference to Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin's statement about the prime minister's power under a Harapan government.

"As Muhyiddin said in Kota Kinabalu a few days ago, the prime minister under Harapan will not be similar to a BN prime minister, as the prime minister of Harapan will be bound by the consensus principle and policies of the four parties in Harapan coalition as decided by the Harapan presidential council.

"The question in the 14th general elections is not whether to choose between Najib and Mahathir but whether to be trapped in the trajectory of a failed and rogue kleptocratic state or whether to Save Malaysia...," he said.

Lim also warned that Najib was seeking to secure a two-thirds majority and if this happens, Malaysians would lose the option of democratic change through the electoral process and can "almost write off" the 15th general elections and subsequent ones.

"The choice before the voters of Malaysia in the 14th general elections, which will be held within the next 100 days, is urgent, dire and imperative," he said.

Harapan's move to nominate Mahathir as its prime ministerial candidate, after he was accused of being an authoritarian leader in his 22 years as prime minister as BN, has raised doubts about Harapan's commitment to reforms.

This has even spawned a campaign to spoil votes in the next general election by those who perceive and BN and Harapan would be a similar choice.

Approximately 800 supporters and members showed up at the ceramah, dubbed "100 days to Putrajaya" at Taman Impian Emas, Skudai tonight.

Despite seeming to be in pain and moving stiffly, Lim appeared in a good mood and warmly greeted his supporters.

A woman shouted "Lao-da (big brother), I love you" while another supporter asked him to to take care of himself as he is an important leader for the country.

Also making appearances were DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

In a pre-recorded video, Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he was glad that Lim is well now.

He said Lim's voice, as an experienced leader, carried weight.

He added that cooperation between young and old and a fusion between new ideas and experience were necessary.