This is despite the party’s national organising secretary Anthony Loke’s earlier announcement that Mahathir along with his new political outfit would not be invited to the conference held at the Ideal Convention Centre, better known as IDCC, here.
According to Loke, this was because PPBM has yet to enter into a formal agreement with the opposition pact Pakatan Harapan (PH), whose leaders were all invited.
Also making an unexpected appearance was Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng in his speech this morning, said this was a positive sign, as it showed how “former enemies can turn into friends for the good of the country”.
“We have fought against so many people who opposed our struggles. Some had even jailed us (because of it).
“But now, these opponents have become our allies. There are no permanent friends or enemies, only everlasting principles,” Guan Eng said.
When asked about Mahathir’s presence at a press conference later, Lim said it was always meant to be a surprise.
“It’s all about the element of surprise. See, now you are all surprised. (Prime Minister) Najib (Razak) is probably surprised as well.”
Mahathir was seen sitting on the stage with Guan Eng, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Mohamad Sabu.
Speaking to reporters later, the former Umno president said there is a stark difference between the DAP national conference and that of MCA’s.
He explained that unlike MCA whose party anthem was in Chinese, DAP’s was in the national language.
“This shows that DAP is more nationalistic than MCA. DAP is not a Chinese party, but is a multiracial one.”
He also noted the diversity of DAP’s lineup, saying that even the non-Chinese are holding top posts.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng tweeted a photo of Mahathir standing up to the DAP anthem, with the accompanying message: “Tomorrow we are one day closer to the fall of MO1 (Malaysian Official One) regime.”
Mahathir’s PPBM intends to work with PH to defeat the Barisan Nasional government in the next general election.
However, with PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin still having talks with PAS, there is uncertainty over alliances the new opposition party may form prior to the next general election.