Wednesday May 16, 2012

Of ethics, principles and ideals

KUALA LUMPUR: There are many DAP leaders who go against the very laws they help draw up, even within the states where they form the government, said Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim.

He said these leaders failed to see the “whole picture” on the need to maintain high ethics and integrity at all times and on all issues.

The former Transparency International country head said he had spoken out many times at the central executive committee (DAP's highest ruling body) meetings about such unethical behaviour but it had always fallen on deaf ears.

He added that he was nave to think that the very political principles and ideals, like freedom of speech, that he held dear were also shared by the whole DAP.

“There was a key party member who set up the Rocket Caf in Petaling Jaya and this was done without the council approval.

“When other members raised this, it was pushed under the rug and no action was taken,” he said in an exclusive interview.

Tunku Aziz pointed out that this was happening in Selangor where the DAP was the leading member of the ruling coalition.

He claimed that many of the party leaders did not realise the importance of local councils although it was the main point of contact between the people and the government.

“In this case, the DAP is part of the government and if the people have a bad impression, then it is a reflection on themselves.”

Tunku Aziz also cited another case of abuse where another “key leader” prevented council enforcement officers from taking action against illegal hawkers.

“He protected the hawkers just because they are DAP supporters. That is wrong and unethical. I raised this case (in the CEC) but I could see that they were not comfortable with it. They must realise ethical issues are important. Integrity issues are important.”

He said the DAP and PKR had done a fairly decent job of running Selangor and Penang but he was worried about the consequences of their unethical transgressions.

He cited the letter by Damansara Utama DAP assemblyman Dr Cheah Wing Yin to the party complaining about a wide range of shortcomings in the Selangor administration as “the tip of the problems”.

“I agree that one or two of the DAP executive councillors need to be closely watched. Can these people be trusted with bigger responsibility if this is how the DAP and its Pakatan Rakyat allies behave?” he asked when questioned if they were ready to administer the country.

On Penang, Tunku Aziz said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng spent too much time blaming the previous administration for everything but conceded that the state was well managed.

He also questioned Lim's style of leadership, saying: “To be a good leader, one must be a good listener. Guan Eng needs to listen more.”

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