Johor DAP: Tunku Aziz should have stayed
Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim should stay with DAP and Pakatan Rakyat to ensure that the opposition pact upholds the spirit of the Bersih movement and implements reforms when it comes into power, Johor DAP says.
Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim should stay with DAP and Pakatan Rakyat to ensure that the opposition pact upholds the spirit of the Bersih movement and implements reforms when it comes into power, Johor DAP says.
He should stay to give his views on various matters, as he is someone who respects the opinions of others and will humbly admit his mistakes, Johor DAP chairperson Dr Boo Cheng Hau (left) said yesterday.
Speaking at a Bersih 3.0 sharing session in Johor yesterday, Boo praised Tunku Aziz as a "soft-spoken gentleman" who held firmly to his beliefs, despite he himself disagreeing with Tunku Aziz's views on Bersih 3.0.
"I agree that Tunku Aziz is a man of principle and integrity," he said, adding that the senator's "well-articulated views" have always been appreciated.
The Skudai assemblyperson also cautioned that Pakatan needed to examine its weaknesses seriously in the wake of Tunku Aziz's departure.
'Pakatan also needs checks and balances'
"Pakatan also needs checks and balances within ourselves with regard to the integrity of our leaders and members.
"We cannot have double standards as far as integrity and transparency are concerned," he said.
Boo's remarks come in response to Tunku Abdul Aziz's resignation from DAP on Monday, a blow to the party that is trying to shore up its credentials with the Malay community.
While DAP has indicated it wants the Transparency International-Malaysia founder to stay, the senator yesterday insisted on quitting and openly rebuked DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and called him biadap (uncouth) for offering him a new post in the Penang state think-tank which comes with a stipend of RM50,000.
Boo in his speech also criticised Johor BN leaders for calling for "zero opposition" in Johor, claiming that Pakatan was a mature political pact which would not aim for such a thing if it ever formed the state government.
"In any normal democracy, we need a sustainable opposition to keep a check-and-balance on the government of the day to avoid abuses of power," he said.
