KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 (Bernama) -- DAP''s decision to drop its vice president
Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim as a member of Dewan Negara just because he had
criticized the rally shows that there was no freedom of expression within the
party members said Puteri Umno Chief Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.
She said in a statement today that Tunku Abdul Aziz was dropped for his
action which the party claimed had tarnished the image of the party, although he
had said it was his personal opinion.
Tunku Abdul Aziz had recently ruffled DAP feathers when he said the April 28
rally held in the heart of Kuala Lumpur would likely create trouble, something
which materialised on that day, after protesters breached police barricades at
Dataran Merdeka, prompting the authorities to take action to repel them.
MCA Youth Secretary-General Datuk Chai Kim Sen described the action as clear
evidence that the party had been advocating the freedom of speech within the
party.
"If the members are not allowed to speak truthfully within the party, how do
you expect them to speak with honesty to the public," he said.
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DAP-CRITIC 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
Following the upcoming General Election, the action is also seen as a way
for DAP to get rid of any squeaks or voices that do not resound with the party''s
thoughts for selfish political desires, said Chai.
Concurring the view, MCA Youth Federal Territory Chairman Senator Chiew Lian
Keng described the party''s action as similar to Adolf Hitler, who attempted to
block all forms of dissent within the party even if their views and positions
were different.
"Once a member says anything contrary to the party''s position, DAP will
block them out, but when a leader says out something different DAP will condemn
the statement and dismiss it as the member''s own personal opinion. All this
highlight the fact that DAP is unable to tolerate any overriding behaviour, and
Tunku Aziz is no exception," he said.
-- BERNAMA
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