Ripples of shock across DAP
MCA top guns are strangely silent about Tunku Aziz’s resignation from the party it loves to hate.
(Free Malaysia Today) – In 2008, when Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim joined DAP, commentators said the party had made its best catch in trying to shed its image as a Chinese outfit.
Asked why he had chosen to join a party consistently portrayed by its rivals as “Chinese chauvinistic,” Tunku Aziz said DAP stood out among Malaysian political organisations as the most consistent in its policies for national development.
His resignation, announced yesterday, has predictably caught observers by surprise despite his open disagreement with the party over involvement in the April 28 Bersih rally. The announcement has sent ripples of shock, disappointment and sadness across DAP, and Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng has urged him to change his mind.
“Upon receipt of the resignation letter, we will ask Tunku to reconsider his resignation,” Tan Kok Wai, who chairs the party’s disciplinary committee, told FMT in a text message.
Asked to comment on the abrupt resignation, Tan said: “I pity Tunku Aziz for not knowing what he has done wrong. To advocate and to strive for a free and fair election is all for a good national cause.”
Tan also commented on Tunku Aziz’s public statement that questioned why the party had not disciplined him if he was wrong in opposing the rally.
“This proves the party respects the democratic right to differences of opinion within the party leadership,” Tan said.
Liew Chin Tong, the MP for Bukit Bendera, said he was feeling too sad to make any comment. “I have to think over what to say. I have been very close to Tunku in our working relationship within the party.”
MCA top guns are surprisingly silent about the affair despite their consistent criticism of DAP as a party that allegedly has double standards in its practice of democracy.
Asked for a response on the resignation, a MCA leader posed a question: “Will MCA take disciplinary action against Malacca state Wanita chief Kian Sit Har for attending the Bersih 3?”
Last year, MCA leaders warned its members against joining the Bersih 2.0 rally, but the party made a U-turn when it came to Bersih 3.0. A party ruling indicated that no disciplinary action would be taken against those participating in Or has MCA scored a thumb-up this round. MCA leaders warned against its members from participating in the April 28 rally.
