PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s willingness to work with his harshest critic, DAP, shows that he is aware of the things he has done in the past, said Lim Kit Siang.

On whether Dr Mahathir has paid or will pay for past wrongdoings, Lim said the premier was aware of his actions back when he was in power for 22 years. 

“The very fact that he is prepared to work with DAP shows he is aware that not everything in the past had gone unseen,” he said in an interview with the BFM radio station today. 

Lim said his gesture to join forces sets a great example for the nation, adding that Dr Mahathir could leave a greater legacy if he “saves” the country. 

“We are setting a great precedent, a great example where we must forgo our differences for the common good of our country. 

“If Dr Mahathir can undo all the wrongs (in the country) and save Malaysia from the rot we have gotten into, he could leave behind a greater legacy,” said the Iskandar Puteri MP. 

On the scandal surrounding former prime minister Najib Razak and 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), the DAP veteran said there was no personal agenda behind it, only that Najib had to be held accountable for his actions.

“I have never been personal with Najib. Nothing personal in politics. We must always be prepared too see issues rather than personalities.

“He has to pay for his wrongs, and he undoubtedly committed one of the greatest sins for any Malaysian leader, which is to take Malaysia towards a direction of global kleptocracy. However, there’s nothing personal behind it.

“You must pay for what you have done and that applies for all,” said Lim when asked if he would take in Najib in the future if he decides to join forces with PH.

Lim also acknowledged that the “Tun Mahathir factor” played a vital role in bringing about change in the 14th general election. 

“There were many factors, no doubt Mahathir factor was an important one,” he said, adding that because the people were aware it would be difficult to bring about change in the future, there was no better time than during GE14 to do it. 

PH defeated Barisan Nasional in GE14, the first defeat for BN in its six decade-long history. 

PH, comprising DAP, PKR, Amanah and Bersatu, won 122 parliamentary seats while BN won 79 seats out of 222 in total. – May 28, 2018.