Tunku Aziz: I was forced out of DAP
The former DAP vice chairman said that he knew his stint in DAP was over when party advisor Lim Kit Siang told him it would be difficult to renominate him as a senator.
(Free Malaysia Today) – Former DAP vice-chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim claimed that he was “forced out” of DAP over his views on Bersih 3.0′s decision to march to Dataran Merdeka.
Speaking at a press conference at his residence today, Tunku Aziz said that he saw his end in DAP after party adviser Lim Kit Siang told him that it would be difficult to renominate him as a senator after he spoke against the Bersih 3.0 rally.
“The message was crystal clear to me and I had to conclude that I was being punished. It was the end of the line for me. When the much celebrated freedom of speech within the party was put to test, DAP failed miserably.
“That’s when I told Lim not to suggest my name as senator as I don’t want to create disharmony in the party,” said the 78 year-old Tunku Aziz.
Last month, Tunku Aziz had voiced his objection over Bersih 3.0′s decision to march to Dataran Merdeka on April 28 claiming the event only encourages Malaysians to break laws.
He has also reportedly said that while he was in favour of freedom of assembly, the action should not be against the laws of the land.
Tunku Aziz said that he was never interested in a political position when he joined the DAP. Nevertheless, he said it was a privilege for him to have been offered to serve as a senator.
“Besides, I was not born a senator. Even my position in DAP had no functions,” he said today.
On Bersih, the Kedah royalty said he was always in support of Bersih 3.0′s calls for free and fair election but was only opposed to the organiser’s decision to break the law by marching to Dataran.
“But some quarters and even some DAP-linked blogs turned me into a monster by saying I was opposed to Bersih 3.0. That’s not the case at all.
“I had always been an NGO advocate. Remember that I was instrumental in setting up Transparency International in Malaysia,” said Tunku Aziz.
He said that although street demonstrations may be applicable in countries like Japan, China and India, the same cannot be said for Malaysia due to its diverse racial and religious environment.
