The DAP appears unwilling to let go of newly resigned vice-chief Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim, and its leaders will meet the latter to convince him to stay.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said despite Tunku's open dissent against the Bersih 3.0 sit in at Dataran Merdeka on Apr 28, the party's leadership does not want him to leave the party and want him to remain as vice-chair.

dap 15th congress 240808 tunku abdul aziz "I hope we can resolve whatever differences there are, within the party, in the spirit of comradeship. I will contact Tunku to see him, and hope that he can change his mind," Lim told reporters in Penang today.

He expressed sadness at Tunku Aziz's resignation, saying that the latter has the right to differ from the party's position, as the party believes in freedom of speech.

Lim, who is DAP secretary general, added he disagreed that disciplinary action should be taken against Tunku Aziz for differing with the party's views on Bersih 3.0.

Lim admitted that there was "general unhappiness" at all levels in the party when Tunku Aziz went openly against the party's official stand on Bersih, an NGO fighting for free and fair elections.

"However, just as the Tunku has the right to openly voice his dissent, the party's right to state its position on Bersih must be also be appreciated," he said.

Last night, Malaysiakini reported that Tunku Aziz has quit all his party post, citing irreconcilable differences with his colleagues.

Tunku Aziz had openly said that he chose not to be renominated as a senator for Penang when his term expired on May 30 due to the disagreement with DAP, adding he was not sacked from his Dewan Negara post.

He claimed he had suggested to Lim that the party should subject him to the "same disciplinary procedure as any other party member" for his dissenting comment, which was his personal view.

However, the party had not taken any action on him and Tunku decided not the prolong the matter and to avoid "further embarassment", he resigned from the party, which he joined in 2008.

Platform to promote integrity

Lim said Tunku had joined DAP because the party offered a platform to promote integrity and fight corruption.

DAP's performance in government after winning power in Penang in 2008 "walked the talk" on these issues, Lim said.

NONE "Penang Pakatan Rakyat has taken the lead with open competitive tenders, open disclosure of government contracts and public declaration of assets by leaders," Lim said.

"Not only Transparency International and the auditor-general's report had praised the state's financial performance, even former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik ( right ) had praised Penang for performing well and for being free from corruption," he added.

After his press conference, Lim declined to respond to queries from reporters, saying his statement was sufficient for now.