Tunku Abdul Aziz

By Koh Lay Chin | Thenutgraph |

BEFORE Senator Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim became a politician, he was far better known as a Malaysian champion of transparency, integrity and good governance. Indeed, it was no coincidence that Tunku Aziz, together with like-minded individuals, founded Transparency International Malaysia (TI-Malaysia) in 1998. He was TI-Malaysia president until December 2004.

Even after setting up TI-Malaysia, the former Bank Negara advisor actively promoted ethics and good governance at both the regional and international level. This included work within the World Bank and the United Nations. It was in his capacity as special advisor to the UN secretary-general, a post he was appointed to in 2006, that he set up the UN Ethics Office.

He returned from New York on completion of this work in 2007, and in 2008 joined DAP, a party he had been monitoring for the past 20 years “without their knowledge”. He is currently DAP national vice-chairperson, and was appointed as the first DAP senator in July 2009.

In this 1 June 2010 interview with The Nut Graph at his Kuala Lumpur home, Tunku Aziz talks about his royal Hindu ancestry and what it was like living in the days before and after independence.

TNG: Where were you born, and what were your earliest childhood memories?

Tunku Aziz: I was born in Alor Star in 1934. My father was an officer in the Kedah state police. My earliest memories were of the parades that were held frequently, accompanied by the Kedah state police band. I suppose that was how I have come to love military music and brass bands.

We were literally surrounded by police families when I was born. Those days in Kedah, there were two avenues for young men — the Kedah civil service and the Kedah state police. My father’s elder brother opted for the civil service, and my father became a police officer.

There was a lot of freedom to play with friends of all races. There was no homework in the lower classes, and no big school bag to lug around. My childhood memories are filled with going swimming in the river at Gurun and Kulim without telling my mother. Things like that. [But] my mother always knew if I had been swimming because my red eyes gave me away.

Can you trace your ancestry?

My family history goes back several hundred years. We can trace our origins from the days of the Hindu kingdom. My ancestors were Hindu before they became Muslim. I descended from the line of Sultan Abdullah, who had two sons, Sultan Ahmad Shah and Tunku Yaakob, also known as Tunku Embong. He, being the younger, became the Raja Muda. In short, that is my family tree.

As I have indicated, the present Kedah ruler can trace his lineage back to the first Hindu king of Kedah. It is the country’s oldest royal line. My mother was a dayang from Brunei whose elder sister married my father’s elder bother — two brothers marrying two sisters.

With the late Corazon Aquino, former president of the Philippines, circa 2000, in his capacity as TI-Malaysia president

What are the childhood stories you remember the most?

Probably the most important advice that my father gave to me went something like this. That it is no use driving a big, expensive car if people in the coffee shops are going to say, as you drive by, “Look at that [person] driving a big car. He [or she] is on the take.”

That made a strong impression on me, because this is where self worth comes into the picture. And if you have no self respect to begin with, you have no respect for other people. This is why I have always tried to resist any temptation to take a bribe, knowing full well that I would never be able to live with myself.

[My father] was a stickler for rules. I remember as an 11-year-old, [I] had my own [football] team that played matches in kampongs some four or five miles away. He would always remind me to ensure that when I cycled home in the evening, my bicycle had a light. Followed by, “If you are caught riding without a lamp, don’t claim that you are the son of the OCPD.” He was then the Alor Star OCPD!

How do you connect with these stories as a Malaysian?

I come from the state of Kedah, which was an independent country before it became a protected state of the British empire. The people of Kedah ran their own affairs and there was a sense of confidence. Unlike [Malay Malaysians] in the other parts, except for Johor, who were virtually under British control and domination. I think when you have confidence in your ability to deal with people, then you don’t worry too much about the ethnicity of the other person.

Having grown up with Chinese [Malaysian] and Indian [Malaysian] friends in particular, it never occurred to me that they were to be treated differently. They were just my friends.

In Kedah, although it was a Malay state, there was no discrimination, although the Kedah civil service and the officer ranks of the Kedah state police were open only to educated boys from “good Malay” families. I remember when I was growing up, the state treasurer was a highly respected Chinese [Malaysian]. I grew up used to people of all races living and working together.

I have always believed that we are one people, the strength of our country is derived from our diversity. And I have always maintained long before (Prime Minister Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak) that tolerance was not good enough. Because it suggests our making small concessions that people are prepared to make, grudgingly. Acceptance of our cultural differences, on the other hand, that is really the key to a united Malaysian nation.

Tunku Aziz with Kofi Anan in New York, 2006, when he was special advisor to UN secretary-general

What does it mean to you coming from a royal Malay family, to have become a politician for all?

I feel a sense of responsibility as a Malaysian. That although I am not close to the throne, I carry the family title, and that means a great deal to me. Not to let the family down, and I supposem to protect the good name of the bigger family of Kedah.

I do my best and I am conscious of the fact there is a long history behind us of providing leadership. For a long time, I have been concerned with polarisation which is very much in evidence. I feel that unless we change the way we look at the issues of culture and race, Malaysia will continue to be plagued by all kinds of problems which will really [distract us] from developing the country to its fullest potential.

For that reason, I made up my mind, against my better judgement, to be in politics. I have no regrets. I thought it was all very well and good to stand on the sidelines and comment on the country’s state of affairs. But if I wanted to help make a difference to national unity and development, then I had to be prepared to stand up and be counted.

I have always been opposed to race-based politics because when you focus on your own race, then you are consciously or unconsciously setting yourself apart. The attitude you adopt is not one of inclusiveness but exclusiveness. So I looked for a party that met my hopes and aspirations and found the DAP fitted the bill.

But you served, worked with, and admired many individuals who very much worked for the Malay race.

I can explain this. [Tun] Ismail Ali was my governor at the central bank. I was persuaded to join [Bank Negara] because I was inspired by his attitude towards his race. But more important, towards his nation as a whole.

He wanted the best for his race, but that wasn’t ketuanan Melayu or Malay supremacy. It was to make Malays self-sufficient, strive for the best, be less dependent on government support and subsidies. Most of all, he wanted something for all Malaysians, and that was equality of opportunity.

For example, when I was Bank Negara’s appointments committee head, both he and I felt that we should always go for the best talent. He recognised Malay [Malaysians] had not yet reached that level, but given the time and right opportunity, they would rise to the occasion.

I remember one year when I appointed 22 young economists who were Chinese [Malaysians]. One person said, “Tunku, do you know that there is this thing called the NEP?” I said I was well aware of that policy but if we wanted the best people to serve the bank then we would have to take the best candidates, irrespective of race, creed or colour.

And I asked him whether he understood Bank Negara’s principles and functions. He hesitated. I then told him its function was to give the best possible independent monetary and financial advice to the Malaysian government. What sort of advice would we be giving if we did not recruit the right people? If I had to scrape the bottom for advisors, then that advice would not amount to much.

What are your hopes for Malaysia?

After more than 50 years of Independence, we have come to the end of the line, as far as Umno-dominated policies are concerned. Those policies have been adopted and noted more for their divisiveness rather than cohesiveness, because most of these policies have elements of discrimination.

Obviously, we need a change and this can only come about if a new set of people with progressive ideas; people who are convinced the country’s future must be in the hands of all citizens. The policies which have failed us should be abandoned. I am hopeful that left to themselves, the people know what they need and what is good for them.
Tunku Aziz with his daughter Dr Tunku Zelena Aziz during her graduation in 1994 in England

Our aspirations are similar in that we want a peaceful future, equal opportunities for our children and grandchildren. We must provide these opportunities. They need to feel that their country belongs to them, and that they can claim ownership without feeling marginalised, sidelined and discriminated against. Loyalty does not mean my country, right or wrong. It means I am prepared to work and make sacrifices because this is my country, my motherland.

I was interviewed by a group of young energetic people in their project called Paradigm Infinitum early July 2009.

They are (from left) Wai Kiong Chan (kiong@paradigminfinitum.com), Shona Leppanen-Gibson (shona@paradigminfinitum.com) and Vicknaraj Thanarajah (raj@paradigminfinitum.com).

It is a great pleasure to have them.

More information about the project is available at www.paradigminfinitum.com.

TV Antara

Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim adalah bekas Pengerusi Transparency International (TI) Malaysia dan menyertai DAP pada Ogos tahun lalu sebelum diangkat sebagai Naib Pengerusi Kebangsaan DAP. Selain menganggotai Jawatankuasa Kerja Pusat parti itu, beliau juga dilantik sebagai Senator Julai lalu. Wartawan Suara Keadilan, Fazallah Pit dan wartawan TvAntara, Sharifah Azmawati cuba menyingkap pandangannya mengenai senario politik Malaysia.

Sejak mendapat mandat di beberapa negeri dan menafikan majoriti dua pertiga di Parlimen, sesetengah pihak menganggap pergolakan politik hasil serangan berterusan Barisan Nasional (BN) disebabkan faktor KEADILAN yang parti paling lemah dalam Pakatan Rakyat. Sejauh mana kebenarannya?

Saya tidak anggap KEADILAN sebagai parti paling lemah. Apabila ada tiga parti dengan tiga ideologi berbeza, bukan mudah untuk membawa persefahaman dan kerjasama serta menghasilkan gandingan mantap. Jika tidak bekerja keras, sentiasa akan ada bahaya menanti. Seperti kata Pengerusi DAP, Lim Kita Siang, jangan sampai Pakatan Rakyat hanya diberi peluang satu penggal sahaja.

Walaupun menerima banyak sokongan rakyat, mereka mahu lihat sama ada Pakatan Rakyat mampu menjadi sebuah kerajaan yang baik. Kita ada peluang untuk membuktikannya apabila berjaya menguasai lima negeri, seterusnya mencetus harapan supaya Ketua Umum KEADILAN, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim bakal menjadi Perdana Menteri apabila Pakatan Rakyat menguasai kerajaan Pusat.

Ia menunjukkan wujud sedikit kelonggaran dalam Pakatan Rakyat. Sebenarnya, apakah masalah utama dalam Pakatan Rakyat hingga mudah menjadi sasaran serangan BN? Dan, bagaimana mengelakkan situasi itu berterusan?

Kerap berlaku salah faham terutama antara parti. Sepatutnya, perlu ada satu penyelarasan membabitkan pemimpin utama dari ketiga-tiga parti berhubung strategi dan hal lain supaya dapat mengekalkan persefahaman.

Saya lihat, masalah paling besar ialah kurangnya kemahiran pengurusan komunikasi. Apabila banyak pemimpin membuat kenyataan, ia sepatutnya dibincangkan dulu supaya tidak menimbulkan rasa tidak senang rakan parti atau kenyataannya berlawanan dengan rakan parti.

Komuniskasi amat penting. Pemimpin perlu lebih banyak perbincangan pada masa depan. Ia akan membantu menjalinkan persefahaman lebih kukuh dengan memahami pendirian, cara kerja dan ideologi masing-masing.

Mungkin ia mengambil sedikit masa. Ini baru peringkat permulaan, tapi Pakatan Rakyat perlu mengenal pasti kelemahan dan kekuatan organisasi. Dalam isu arak di Selangor, ada orang parti ini kata begini tapi orang parti lain dalam Pakatan Rakyat buat perkara berbeza, seolah-olah mereka tidak tahu apa yang mereka lakukan. Jadi, macam mana rakyat mahu percaya kebolehan Pakatan Rakyat dalam mentadbir negara.

Sungguhpun ada sedikit pergeseran antara parti dalam Pakatan Rakyat tapi ia masih mendapat tempat di hati rakyat. Jadi, di manakah sebenarnya tunjang kekuatan Pakatan Rakyat dalam senario politik Malaysia?

Kekuatan utama Pakatan Rakyat adalah berlandaskan kepercayaan dalam memperjuang isu kebebasan bercakap untuk semua golongan, selain keyakinan dalam usaha membanteras rasuah dengan berkesan yang tiada dalam BN. Jika ia dilakukan dengan baik, rakyat akan terus meletakkan kepercayaan kepada Pakatan Rakyat.

Kerajaan BN dilihat tidak mengamalkan ketelusan dalam pemerintahannya sejak 52 tahun lalu. Kini, dengan Pakatan Rakyat memerintah beberapa negeri, bagaimanakan tahap ketelusan di negara ini.

Secara tuntas, PR memang lebih telus dari BN, tapi ia belum cukup. Pakatan Rakyat perlu mengamal dasar ketelusan secara total. Pakatan Rakyat mesti mengerti yang tanpa ketelusan, tidak akan ada akauntabiliti. Maknanya, ketelusan terlalu penting. Terlalu penting.

Setiap tindakan yang diambil Pakatan Rakyat perlu ada asas atau rakyat mungkin mempersoalkannya. Rakyat sentiasa mahukan jawapan dan mereka tidak akan mendapat jawapan jika tidak mengamal budaya ketelusan.

Dalam hal membuat keputusan pula, perlu ada keupayaan untuk menjawab dan mampu memberi penerangan mengapa sesuatu keputusan diambil. Jika tidak, rakyat tidak tahu apa sebenarnya berlaku. Ia akan memberi masalah. Kita kena jadi organisasi yang berpegang kuat kepada ketelusan.

Rakyat mendapati polis dan Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) tidak mengamalkan ketelusan dalam menjalankan siasatan. Bagaimana pula tahap ketidaktelusan mereka dalam mengendalikan sesuatu kes.

Setiap ada organiasasi ada tahap ketelusan berbeza. Ini menimbulkan masalah. Ketelusan penting supaya rakyat tahu apa yang berlaku. Tanpa ketelusan, kebanyakan mereka hanya meneka. Meneka mencetuskan khabar angin dan ia tentunya bukan sesuatu yang baik.

Rakyat mungkin membuat spekulasi berdasarkan khabar angin. Ini tidak baik dalam mengurus sesebuah organiasasi. Jangan harap mereka akan menaruh keyakinan terhadap organisasi kerana mereka tidak tahu apa-apa. Mereka cuma akan fikirkan banyak perkara yang mungkin tidak betul.

Inilah masalah dengan polis dan SPRM. Ia jadi begitu kerana disokong Akta Rahsia Rasmi (OSA). Apabila dipersoal, mudah mereka mengatakan ia adalah tertakluk kepada OSA. Jadi mereka boleh sorokkan apa-apa perkara yang mungkin salah. Sebab itu, OSA mesti dimansuh. Rakyat bukan mahu tahu rahsia mereka tapi mahu tahu perkara yang memberi kesan kepada kehidupan.

Salah satu senjata utama BN dalam mempertahan kelangsungan kuasa politik ialah menggunakan agensi kerajaan tertentu dan amalan ini sudah lama dipraktik apabila mereka dalam keadaan terdesak.

Agensi kerajaan sepatutnya tidak bersifat politik dan mempromosi polisi BN. Jika tidak, ia sebenarnya menjadi alat kepada parti pemerintah. Mereka mesti bergerak mengikut lunas undang-undang dan tidak boleh menerima arahan daripada ahli politik.

Peranan sebenar mereka ialah memberi perkhidmatan kepada rakyat, secara adil dan saksama tanpa memilih bulu supaya agensi kerajaan terus memperoleh keyakinan rakyat. Di Perak misalnya, kita dapat lihat polis diperalat untuk meneruskan aganda BN. Ia tidak seharusnya berlaku.

Kebelakangan ini, banyak serangan peribadi digunakan BN sebagai modal politik dengan Anwar menjadi sasaran utama apabila dilabel sebagai pengkhianat bangsa. Apakah senario ini amalan politik yang baik untuk negara?

Bukan tindakan bijak untuk seseorang ahli politik melakukan serangan peribadi kerana banyak aspek lain yang boleh dikritik atau dibahas. Serangan politik perlu berlandaskan isu dan prestasi, bukan berbentuk personaliti.

Jika tidak, isu politik tidak terarah kepada prestasi, sebaliknya menjurus kepada serangan peribadi. Ini tidak baik untuk proses kematangan politik sesebuah negara.

Naib Presiden Umno, Tan Sri Muhyiddin kebelakangan dianggap antara ahli politik paling galak melakukan serangan peribadi terhadap Anwar. Mengapa ini berlaku? Apakah mungkin ada agenda tertentu di sebalik kelantangannya itu?

Ramai tidak sedar yang Muhyiddin seakan-akan ‘melepaskan semua’ sedangkan Muhyiddin sendiri tidak sempurna. Tindakannya hanya mencetus persoalan sama ada corak permainan politiknya atas sebab ada pekung yang perlu disorok.

Sebaik-baiknya, Muhyiddin jika tiada apa-apa yang perlu dicakap, lebih baik jangan bercakap. Muhyiddin sepatutnya lebih banyak bercakap tentang prestasi, bukan isu peribadi.

Konsep 1Malaysia yang digagas Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak giat dipromosi pada masa ini. Pada pandangan Tunku apa pentingnya 1Malaysia dan bagaimana kesannya kepada rakyat secara langsung?

1Malaysia, ia tiada apa-apa kecuali slogan. Kosong. Sesiapapun boleh mencipta slogan demi slogan tapi ia tidak membawa sebarang makna. Untuk rakyat merasai semangat 1Malaysia, perlu ada polisi yang konkrit kepada rakyat.

Jika tidak, ia menimbulkan kekeliruan. Diskriminasi terhadap masyarakat bukan Melayu, misalnya. Bagaimana mereka mahu beri reaksi positif kerana ia tidak merangkumi semua pihak sedangkan semua orang sepatutnya menjadi sebahagian dari 1Malaysia.

Memang Najib ada membuat beberapa perubahan. Misalnya, memperkenal biasiswa kepada pelajar bukan Melayu tapi banyak lagi yang perlu dibuat. Dan, tidak boleh ada 1Malaysia jika masih ada Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA).

Ia undang-undang yang ketara mengongkong rakyat. Tidak boleh ada amalan tahan tanpa bicara. Kemudian, dengan mudah tangkap pemimpin pembangkang masuk ISA.

Memang benar, perlu ada undang-undang berkaitan anti-pengganas, tapi kita tidak boleh kata Anwar, Kit Siang sebagai pengganas. Sebab itu, saya katakan, 1Malaysia takkan berjaya.

Sempena sambutan ulang tahun kemerdekaan tanah air ke-52, bagaimana Tunku melihat Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara berdaulat dan merdeka.

Selama 52 tahun, Malaysia berdiri sebagai negara merdeka. Baik pemimpin mahupun rakyat, mereka sepatutnya mampu membuat keputusan sendiri tanpa dipengaruhi apa-apa. Kita ada sebahagian kebebasan itu tapi tidak menyeluruh.

Kerajaan juga perlu lebih bertanggungjawab dalam menyediakan aspek keselamatan, keselesaan dan perlindungan kepada segenap lapisan rakyat. Rakyat juga perlu dibebas dari pelbagai belenggu sedia ada.

LAPORAN KHAS ISTIMEWA HARI MERDEKA

Kekayaan negara masih lagi tidak diagihkan dengan sempurna. Bahasa Malaysia tidak digarap sepenuhnya oleh masyarakat. Dan terdengar sana sini suara-suara agen provokasi melaungkan sentimen rasis dan agama, mencemari sistem pilihanraya yang pincang.

Layari laman berikut untuk saksikan temuramah tersebut:

http://www.tvantara.com/v1/video?id=1414

The Star Online | Thursday September 11, 2008
By AZMAN UJANG

Anti-corruption activist Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim, who recently joined DAP, still sees his role as one to fight graft and now also to ensure a fairer place for all Malaysians.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s most prominent anti-corruption and good governance activist, Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim, raised many eyebrows recently when he announced his new role as a politician by joining the DAP.

And in an unprecedented move, the DAP instantly appointed him a vice-chairman.

Tunku Aziz, 74, had a distinguished career in the corporate sector before being actively involved in Transparency International, the global coalition against corruption.

He has written and spoken widely on corruption and integrity issues both domestically and internationally and published his book, Fighting Corruption: My Mission.

He also served at the World Bank and in 2006 was invited to establish the United Nations Ethics Office as a Special Adviser to then secretary-general Kofi Annan.

Following are Q & A excerpts of the interview: Read more…

New Straits Times | 26-09-2008
By Azura Abas

KUALA LUMPUR: It is unethical to don the mantle of government other than through the ballot box, says DAP vice-chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim. In disagreeing with the idea of forming a government by asking politicians to switch sides, he said:

“This is really a matter not so much of politics but really to do more with ethics in politics.

“There is no law to stop people from crossing over from one party to another and this has happened in Sabah where opposition members crossed over to Barisan Nasional.

“Still, this does not really give it any legitimacy just because it has
happened before.

“I totally disagree with it. The only way you can really achieve legitimacy to govern is through the ballot box. As I have said before, there is a time and place for it.

“The time is the next general election and the place is the polling
station,” he told the New Straits Times.

“Corruption is not just about money changing hands. If you bend the
existing system, you are corrupting it.

“The point I am making is that the people who voted for you have
certain expectations from you and the party you represent to protect the interest of the voters,” he said.

Tunku Aziz also warned that when one put ethics on the back burner
instead of in the driver’s seat, problems would happen.

“Once we start putting ethics in the driving seat, we will see some improvement in the way we run our national affairs.”

Read more…

The Edge Daily | 22-09-2008

Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim raised many eyebrows, not least from associates, when he joined DAP in August and was promptly named a vice-president of the party. The co-founder of the Malaysian chapter of Transparency International has no intention of being a token Malay presence in the multi-racial but Chinese-dominated party. He has found a new platform in the DAP to advocate transparency, accountability, justice and equality.

The Edge Financial Daily caught up with him recently where he spoke about the challenges facing the DAP, especially in reaching out to the Malay community, what ails the country, the spirit of the nation’s founding fathers and his plans in the party. While many would have rested on their laurels at age 74, Tunku Aziz, a former Bank Negara adviser and former group director of Sime Darby, has the enthusiasm of a young man, and is all geared up to help push the ideal of creating a better Malaysia.

The following are excerpts of the interview by Sharon Tan and Abdul Ghani Hamat.
Read more…