Pakatan Harapan MPs who signed the Citizens' Declaration in their personal capacity yesterday defended their cooperation with former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, a man they have in the past accused of authoritarianism.

Mahathir yesterday brought together his allies and former foes to sign the declaration which called for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's ouster and institutional reforms.

Seremban MP Anthony Loke dismissed accusations of opportunism by the opposition, stating that all quarters are taking significant risks in coming together with the possibility of finally instituting decades-long calls for reforms.

"People say it's opportunism but we need to look at this with pragmatism.

"Mahathir who is willing to come out with this point of view is also being accused of betraying Umno .

"Everyone is taking a risk as far as political position is concerned but I think by coming together, that shows what is important right now.

"The common objective is to get rid of Najib and at the same time pushing for reform of the institutions," said Loke, who is also DAP national organising secretary.

Loke said he respected dissenting views, including from PSM, but said the opposition had to acknowledge it faces an uphill task in dealing with Najib and the ongoing crisis on its own.

"If the establishment is willing to come together for a common cause, why not?" he said.

'Focus on change'

Meanwhile, Bukit Katil MP Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin said he understood the concerns and reservations of certain allies but said the goal is in seeing change in the country.

"At the end of the day, we want to see changes in the country and of course, that is the focus," said Shamsul, who is also PKR vice-president.

He added the cooperation with Mahathir's camp is not a political coalition and requires the public's support.

Shamsul also acknowledged the risk that Mahathir may betray the group but noted that this has been part of the reformasi movement's experience.

"Even during reformasi, there were betrayals like by then PKR Youth chief Ezam Mohd Noor," he said.

However, Shamsul said he viewed the 90-year-old Mahathir's move now as righting his past wrongs.

Earlier today, PSM secretary-general A Sivarajan slammed his opposition allies and civil society as "weak" for being too swift in accepting cooperation with Mahathir.

"The press conference only proves how weak in strength and in ideas the opposition and civil society really are.

"Unable to settle squabbling among themselves, they have decided to ally with any ex-dictator who made the same call," he said.