Tunku's PM remarks a letdown for Karpal

DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh expressed disappointment today with former senator Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim's statement supporting the premier given front-page treatment by the Umno-linked Utusan Malaysia.

Karpal, a well-known legal eagle, hit out at Prime Minister Najib Razak's transformation plan, saying it was only "at the peripheral" and should have been more in-depth.

"I am somewhat taken aback by Tunku's statement saying that the PM is on the right track. What is important is that Najib should not dwell on the peripheral when it comes to the transformation plans," said Karpal (right) at a press conference in Penang.

"The first step is for him to restore bumiputra status to all citizens born on and after 31 Aug 1957, the date of the country's independence," he added.

Karpal said this would be the "first step towards constructive transformation as lip service would get the PM nowhere".

He added that for such a plan to be meaningful, meritocracy should be practised in the civil service, courts and hospitals.

"When it comes to medical and judicial appointments, the best must be chose as both professions deal with human life," said the Bukit Gelugor MP.

No song, dance, over resignation

"In court, a judge could sentence people to death. In hospitals, the best is needed to ensure people's well-being, who may otherwise be victims of death," he added.

Tunku Aziz (left) surprised his former party comrades when he said Najib's leadership "ought to be supported, and should be given a chance and time to make a success of the transformation programmes that he has initiated".

This, however, elicited a "no comment" response from DAP secretary general and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, during his speech at the Third Annual Conference of the Citizen Journalists Malaysia in Penang today, even before he was asked by reporters on the matter.

On what made Tunku Aziz , a staunch DAP leader take his recent quit decision , Karpal said the party has always maintained that Tunku is a "man of principles".

He expressed hope that Tunku has not diverted from that view, which is held by his former comrades in the DAP, upon leaving the party.

When asked if the Tunku's complaints about DAP secretary-general and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng were justified, Karpal said the party has brought that chapter to a close.

He declined to elaborate further on the matter, except to say "I'd rather it be left there".

"We wish Tunku well and likewise, we hope he will do the same," said Karpal.