Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has called on the opposition and the public to cast aside their identities as party members in the upcoming twin by-elections to ensure Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's defeat.
Speaking after a meeting with several opposition MPs in Putrajaya, Mahathir said this was because some of Najib's policies, such as the goods and services tax, have burdened all regardless of political allegiances.
"We are agreed that in these by-elections we must behave as though we don't belong to any party.
"We are a people's movement... Everyone regardless of whether they are with BN or the opposition should support whoever is fighting against Najib," he said.
Most of the MPs attending the meeting were from DAP, namely M Kulasegaran, Steven Sim, Zairil Khir Johari, Lim Lip Eng, Thomas Su, and Julian Tan.
Also in attendance were Amanah's Khalid Samad, Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Raja Kamarul Bahrin; Mahfuz Omar from PAS, Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin from PKR and DAP vice-chairperson and MP for Ipoh Barat M Kulasegaran.
They came in their personal capacities to discuss the upcoming by-elections.
However, they did not discuss which party should contest in Sungai Besar or Kuala Kangsar.
Mahathir said this would be discussed at another meeting involving those who signed the Citizens' Declaration during its launch, as well as the opposition.
Asked about the possibility of three-cornered contests, Mahathir expressed confidence that the issue could be dealt with.
"...two-, three- or five-cornered, we have our ways to deal with this."
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