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DAP veteran: Dr M won't change, puts others in his pocket
Published:  Apr 12, 2018 12:59 PM
Updated: 5:09 AM

GE14 | After crossing over to the opposition, Dr Mahathir Mohamad's critics have accused his new allies and their supporters of absolving the former premier of his past transgressions.

The Pakatan Harapan chairperson has claimed that he is now committed to reforms despite ruling with an iron fist for more than two decades.

However, DAP veteran Dr Tang Seng Giaw is convinced that Mahathir would not change.

"He (Mahathir) makes everyone small and wraps them up so that he can put them in his pocket,” he told Sin Chew Daily when asked if the former premier had changed since quitting Umno.

Tan was among those detained under the infamous Internal Security Act (ISA) Operasi Lalang dragnet in 1987 during Mahathir's tenure. He was released eight months later.

Others DAP leaders held were Lim Kit Siang, his son Guan Eng and the late Karpal Singh.

Mahathir has since accepted blame for the detentions of over 100 activists, journalists and opposition politicians under Operasi Lalang, stopping just short of an apology.

Tan also expressed concern over DAP's decision to work with Mahathir and the latter's party Bersatu in order to win over the Malay electorate.

The veteran politician warned that if Pakatan Harapan wins Putrajaya due to a massive swing from rural Malay voters in the May 9 general election, it would weaken DAP.

He said if Harapan is defeated again, then DAP would be left in an embarrassing position for not using its iconic rocket logo in the coming polls.

DAP decided not to use the rocket logo in the peninsular following Harapan's decision to use a common logo – PKR's logo.

Tan was dropped as the DAP candidate for the Kepong parliament seat despite having won for eight consecutive terms.

He has pledged not to contest as an independent or join other parties.

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