YOURSAY 'There's only one way to say ‘yes' and a thousand ways to say ‘no'. A man his age could easily have made a dignified exit, if he wanted to.'

An undignified exit for Tunku Aziz

Abasir: Given the paucity of good and decent leaders, it is understandable that a party like the DAP locks on to the one or two who appear on its radar.

With his meticulously manicured image as the evangelist for transparency and good governance, former party vice-chairperson Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim was a prime catch for many reasons: Malay, well-schooled, a politically-useful personal branding and the requisite gravitas.

In short, a very attractive package, which, as revealed by the turn of events, has proved to be too good to be true.

The lesson here is simple: if you do not take the time to perform due diligence, to really scrutinise the package that appears at your doorstep, you will spend time on damage control... after it explodes the way this has.

Going by all that has been reportedly said by Tunku Aziz, the nature and timing of his appearance, his obviously planned exit and the delivery of his final 'support Najib' thrust between the shoulder blades of his erstwhile comrades, this was a human IED (improvised explosive device), set to go off to cause maximum harm.

Caveat emptor (Let the buyer beware).

Quigonbond: I disagree with the author, S Thayaparan.

Firstly, Tunku Aziz's choice of media to express his disagreement against DAP's stand on Bersih 3.0 requires further analysis.

If Internet has been the forum for DAP, and not the mainstream media, why don't Tunku Aziz take his fight in that medium if his objective is to convince as many Malaysians as possible not to break the law?

By taking his stand to mainstream media last minute, and Bersih 3.0 being a very critical event for Malaysians and Pakatan Rakyat, if I were LGE (Lim Guan Eng), I would not have hesitated to publicly censure Tunku Aziz.

What else would I say, that we have difference of opinion and leave the people confused as to DAP's stand?

Secondly, for Tunku Aziz to continue to use the mainstream media to criticise DAP, and on top of that to support PM Najib Razak, I'm just wondering - what kind of principles that Tunku Aziz has that permits him to turn 180 degrees?

Tunku Aziz would not be fair to DAP if he's been a closet supporter of Najib for the last two years or more.

Dood: It's most disappointing to see Tunku Aziz stoop this low. Surely he knows how the mainstream media will spin things if he goes to them.

Whatever happened to knowing how to agree to disagree? I guess when the going gets tough, that's when we separate the men from the boys...

And unfortunately for Tunku Aziz, in the world of politics and the struggle for Malaysian freedom and rights, he stands with the latter.

Dr David KL Quek: Another great piece of analysis by Navy Commander (rtd) Thayaparan. Thayaparan writes and thinks even better with time and cuts to the chase of what truly matters, without pulling any punches.

Keep up the pugnacious commentaries for our Malaysian politics. They provide much food for thought. Perhaps our politicians should seriously read and heed his comments and learn from them, both pro and con.

Logger123: This is an article written with a depth of thought, reason and reflection rarely seen nowadays. Yes Commander Thayaparan, you have articulated an unbiased observation of this whole situation.

Thank you. I trust right-thinking fellow Malaysians will appreciate this article too.

Onmu-itna: For a so-called dignified person (before his resignation), Tunku Aziz should not have asked Malaysians to back Najib, of all politicians.

By making that statement, it only confirms that he was indeed a Trojan horse from Umno. Almost 99 percent of Malaysians, including a majority of Umno members, fully know Najib is a corrupt leader, a liar and a spineless leader.

So how, where and on what basis can Tunku Aziz ask Malaysians to believe in Najib? With or without Tunku Aziz in DAP, I shall continue my believe in and support for DAP.

May: There's only one way to say ‘yes' and a thousand ways to say ‘no'. A man his age could easily have made a dignified exit, if he wanted to.

If he had felt any bond with his party in the first place, he would not have demonised them the way he did.

Engaging the mainstream media, knowing the way they have been spinning and now, asking Malaysia to give Najib a chance, how could he have been part of the opposition for four years? It beggars belief.

Altantuya Shaariibuu was blown to bits, we are losing trillions of ringgit to corruption, is he not making an indecent proposal right now?

I don't want to be disrespectful but I think he's trying to throw a spanner into the works of the Penang state government. LGE was not wrong to censure him for his outburst against Bersih.

Tunku Aziz just thinks he's above censure, especially coming from someone younger than him. DAP should have nothing to do with him now - for whatever you do, he's experienced enough to spin to your detriment.

He's rather vindictive. Stay clear of him.

Swkian: Remember Perak Sultan Raja Azlan Shah? I believed he was a very honourable man, but not after the Perak coup.

The same goes to Tunku Aziz for backing Najib, especially in the MSM (mainstream media). He is no longer respectable.

Blind Freddo: The concept of 'not toeing the party line' is fine in a well-established political party whose overall philosophy is known and understood.

In that situation, democracy can tolerate difference. In an inexperienced untried coalition like Pakatan, not toeing the party line means political disaster and could well mean political annihilation.

You just have to look at the chaos created in Kedah to understand this simple fact. But the trouble is in Pakatan, everyone thinks they are perfect and that their opinion is the only right one so they disregard the party to feed their own ego.

In Umno, nobody has an opinion so the party simply does whatever Dr Mahathir Mohamad says.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now .