Negri prince confirms DAP courted him, says had ‘private conversations’

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 — The son of the Negri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar confirmed today that he had been courted by the DAP to be an election candidate, but he said “it is unfortunate that private conservations had been made public.”

Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz (picture) said there was nothing wrong with members of royalty taking part in politics, although he had not found a political party he wanted to be a member of.

Last Saturday, the DAP’s former vice-president Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim claimed that the party’s national organising secretary Anthony Loke had asked him to persuade Tunku Abidin to contest in a state seat.

Loke, who is also the party’s Negri Sembilan chief, had on Sunday reportedly criticised Tunku Abdul Aziz over his allegations.

“I deeply regret his actions. That matter was stated in an informal and closed (-door) meeting, it should be personal in nature. So why the need to hebah-hebahkan (spread it)?

“He should respect the individual’s privacy because the one that was linked is not an ordinary person, but (bangsawan) aristocrat,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian Online.

Tunku Abidin confirmed today that he had an “informal conversation” with the DAP some months ago, before saying that he was invited to talk with other political parties too.

“It should be noted that I have been invited to similar informal and private conversations with representatives of other political parties as well.”

He also said: “It is unfortunate that private discussions have been made public. Political parties should be able to freely engage any Malaysian citizen to discuss confidential proposals within the boundaries of the law.”

The Ruler’s son, more popularly known as Tunku Abidin Muhriz, said that no political parties had attracted him as they did not articulate the vision of the country’s founder with enough consistency.

“In my view, no political party today articulates the vision of our Ayahanda Kemerdekaan (Father of Independence) with sufficient conviction and consistency for me to consider joining them,” he wrote in a six-paragraph statement (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/response-to-statements-by-tunku-aziz-and-anthony-loke-tunku-zain-al-abidin-tuanku-muhriz/).

In response to claims that “it is improper for a child of a Ruler to participate in party politics”, he listed five members of the royalty who had previously held positions as members of Parliament, state assemblymen and ministers.

Tunku Abidin said he has been active in the country’s civil society space even before his father was elected to be the eleventh Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.

He said he would want to continue contributing to the country through the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) think-tank which was founded by him and other foundations.