Just another FROG: Tunku Aziz disappoints - Koon Yew Yin

Although I do not know Tunku Aziz personally, I have friends who have known him for many years, with a few that know him very well. This analysis of Tunku Aziz is based partly on my discussions with them as well as my analysis of the events that have unfolded since his resignation from the DAP. It is also based on various statements that have been made by Tunku Aziz and other stake players in this political drama that has preoccupied many Malaysians for far too long.

It is important to note that Tunku Aziz has always been a conservative and a pro-establishment figure right from his early days. He is a distant member of the Kedah royal family. According to Wikipedia, his father was an officer in the Kedah police during the British colonial administration who rose to become Officer in Charge of Police District (OCPD), Alor Setar.

After completing his university studies in England and Australia (possibly on government scholarships) he worked for Guthrie Corporation before joining Bank Negara as an advisor. He eventually returned to the private sector, and was appointed a group director of Sime Darby. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunku_Abdul_Aziz_Ibrahim)

His anti-corruption record

Much has been made by Tunku Aziz of his long standing anti-corruption credentials. My conclusion is that he has made a second career out of the cause of anti-corruption which has served him well. Firstly it is important to note his high position in the corporate world as an insider who has helped to facilitate the wheels of business at the highest levels. He was at one time or another a member of the Council of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, the Malaysian National Shippers Council, the Asean Business Council, the Asean-US Business Council, and the Asian-EU Business Council. He served for several years on the Employers’ Panel of the Industrial Court. All of these appointments could not have been made by someone who did not receive the stamp of approval by the Barisan Nasional government.

Secondly, he jumped on the anti-corruption bandwagon very late. Despite the issue’s cancerous growth especially since the early days of the New Economic Policy in the 1970’s, it was not until more than 20 years later in 1998 that Tunku Aziz founded, together with others, the Malaysian chapter of Transparency International known locally as The Kuala Lumpur, and now the Malaysian Society for Transparency & Integrity. He was not the founder – only co-founder.

According to his official curriculum vitae, “Tunku Aziz devoted the whole of his time to Transparency International on a voluntary basis from 1995-2004.” (http://dapmalaysia.org/newenglish/biodata_tunku_aziz.htm). That is probably true but it is important to note that the position provided him – in addition to sponsored travel and sponsored high profile exposure - the basis for his local – and subsequently international – prominence. That belated “voluntary basis” work put him on the international NGO circuit and helped to embellish his resume.

It also provided him with an inflated sense of his political clout as well as likely fed his ego. In fact when I am comparing him with other local figures who have sacrificed much more for their beliefs and principles, I feel that Tunku Aziz’s work has given him an undeserved reputation as an activist. An arm chair critic - yes; but an activist - no.

Returning to the Barisan fold

Given his background and career, it is not surprising that Tunku Aziz has now returned to the Barisan Nasional fold. His reputation for standing up for principles and for consistency has now been exposed as undeserved.

Some readers in the internet have asked whether Tunku Aziz was in fact a government mole. I do not think so. In my mind, what happened was the rebuke by Lim Guan Eng over his initial Bersih comments. It was a public dressing down by the DAP chief which no person, especially one with a strong sense of his standing in society, could be expected to stomach.

This was compounded by the DAP decision not to renew his senatorship. If this decision was conveyed or signalled to Tunku Aziz well before his Bersih comments, it is likely that it would have been a severe blow to his sense of self-esteem and would have provided justification to him for taking the line of argument that he did when he criticized the Bersih assembly.

What pushed Tunku Aziz to the point of no return in his relationship with the DAP were the more politically inapt attempts to provide him with a senior fellowship position at the Penang Institute as compensation. The Institute works as the state government’s think tank and would have paid him $50,000 in terms of emoluments. As Tunku Aziz remarked, “Are they mad?”

On the last point, I agree with Tunku Aziz on the political immaturity of some DAP leaders as the wayang kulit unfolded. This has been an occasion which has not only been a distraction but has also shown the party shooting itself in the foot.

Another frog

But what I and most Malaysians find completely unacceptable, objectionable and disgusting is Tunku Aziz’s transformation from being the Vice Chairman of the largest opposition party to being Prime Minister Najib’s cheerleader.

He has now gone on record to say that “What the prime minister has done now is the right thing and we need to support him”. He has also said that Najib’s transformation process for change and improving the democratic process would certainly take time. Earlier, Tunku Aziz was one of those who said that more than enough time had already been given to the Barisan and Najib in ruling the country. Now, he has changed his tune.

To my mind this political somersault is unprecedented in the annals of Malaysian political history, and possibly anywhere in the world. It is tantamount to saying “Vote for the BN” despite all the corruption and abuses of human rights and democracy from someone who claimed that he was anti-Barisan. No wonder Najib, Muhyiddin and Mahathir are praising him to the sky and using him as part of their anti-DAP and anti-Chinese rhetoric. However, given that these same Barisan leaders and media have condemned him so strongly in the past, Malaysians can see through the double talk and hypocrisy of the BN and Tunku Aziz.

It is time for everyone to move on. Tunku Aziz can tend to his ornamental fish. And the Malaysian public should focus on the many serious problems that plague our society and which in my opinion, Tunku Aziz warrants only a small footnote at most when the final report comes in.

Koon Yew Yin is a prominent civil society leader and corporate captain