I am surprised that Malaysia’s most famous crusader for integrity and transparency Tunku Aziz has joined DAP as national vice chairman.

But other than integrity and transparency in governance and perhaps non communal politics for multi racial Malaysia, what else does he share in common with the DAP, if his past writings in NST and bloggers sphere are anything to go by?

He certainly thinks not too highly about Anwar with whom DAP cooperates within Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to displace BN’s rule. He said Anwar’s allegation of political conspiracy behind Sodomy II as theatrics and political posturing; he criticised Anwar’s canvassing of cross-overs from BN’s camp (described by him as “ethically deficient political malcontents from The Land Below The Wind”) to take over the government as “unprincipled political machinations and manipulations”. He expressed skepticism of bloggers — “the overwhelming majority of whom, sadly, are adventurers of sorts — to set themselves up as the sole purveyors of truth” …..(see my earlier posting as of now still under moderation).

From the outside he looks more suited in a NGO. Being a man who speaks his mind as the truth dictates to him, he does not seem suited for partisan politics! (He may well have changed his mind now, putting bipartisanship in back burner, thinking that politics remains the only option to change then country for the better – I really don’t know).

Otherwise there are two possibilities : first he might bring DAP into collision course with Anwar and PR; or he might leave the DAP, like Chandra Muzaffa leaving PKR….

I am sure the DAP has party discipline and does enforce it. For eg. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng just recently announced that all DAP MPs and state assemblymen have been banned from applying for land in Penang “This is a step to counter unhealthy practices such as land improprieties which will impair the financial state of Penang. Any DAP MP or assemblymen who applies for state land will be breaching party discipline and action will be taken against him,” he told Ayer Itam voters
(Source March 24th The Star)

Is criticism of Anwar or his much touted cross overs scheme a breach of DAP’s party discipline? If it is, then isn’t the DAP curbing freedom of honest expression or dissent by Tunku Aziz and unfairly compromising his integrity and consistency of public stand?

If the DAP says it is not breach of party discipline, does it make sense for a powerful Central Executive Committee member of DAP such as Tunku Aziz be allowed to criticise the defacto head of an Opposition coalition in which DAP is part of and whom the DAP endorse as PM designate should Pakatan Rakyat wrestled power to form government?

These are questions yet unanswered by the DAPs Central Executive Commitee …

It is not just the manner of Anwar’s refutation of Sodomy II Charges(eg. allegations of political conspiracy or of humiliation in hospital examination, not volunteering blood DNA, garnering international support etc) that Tunku Aziz criticised (which may be dismissed as mere Tunku Aziz’s personal dissenting opinion) but judging from the drift of what he wrote, the entire enterprise of the larger Pakatan Rakyat coming to power via BN crossovers and successful vote of no confidence against the government is undemocratic and improper.

I quote what he wrote : “What has happened to the mass exodus to his camp of ethically deficient political malcontents from The Land Below The Wind, across the South China Sea, that he predicted with an almost messianic zeal and prophetic certainty to help him topple the government and transform the nation?
He (Anwar) has done our Sabah politicians grave injury to their reputation. They have proved that they stand by certain personal values and standards of ethical behaviour.

I cannot imagine anything baser and more grotesque than attempting to corrupt and seduce perfectly decent and honourable parliamentarians to betray the trust of the voters who had put them there in the first place to represent them in their constituencies.

What kind of message is Anwar sending to the people of this country, and in particular to the young people now beginning to take an interest in political issues?

Dislodge the government by all means, if this is your purpose in life, but there is a time and place as provided under our electoral process.

The place is the ballot box, and the time is the 13th general election.

This is all part of our democratic system and what business have any of us to bring about a change of administration outside of the legal electoral framework?” (unquote)
See link : http://notashabery.com/shabery/?p=173

Does DAP and its Central Executive Committee share Tunku Aziz’s view that Pakatan Rakyat’s toppling of the government by such a means of cross overs is antithical and contrary to democratic practice?

I believe Tunku Aziz is more likely a man of strong integrity who speaks his mind and will not be cowered by bipartisan politics for long. (This of course doesn’t mean he is right on all issues he disagrees with others).

You guys must wonder why RPK unlike Tunku Aziz will speak for Opposition Cause but won’t join Opposition parties. Why? Because with good cause he does trust politicians including this side of our fence! Having said that Anwar understands rough & tumble of Malaysian politics : he knows if he does not make the move by crossovers BN will with time recover its composure after 8th March ‘defeat’ to neutralise the Opposition. Anwar has his own logic, ends justifies the means whatever.

There is however a risk : the BN won’t allow this kind of unothodox divesting off them of power with no guarantee of amnesty. They may make their move soon- all gloves taken off – which is no good for either country or the cause of democracy. That’s the worst scenario that we should be prepared for (after Permatang Puah) victory!

Correction in relation to RPK – “Because with good cause he does NOT trust politicians…”