DAP tries to persuade royalty's son to contest in the coming election

Former DAP vice-chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim has claimed that he was once asked by DAP state chairman Loke Siew Fook to persuade a son of the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan to contest in the coming state election on a DAP ticket.

Tunku Abdul Aziz said he conveyed the request to Tunku Zain Al-'Abidin Ibni Tuanku Mukhriz, the founding president of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), but the latter turned it down.

He said Tunku Zain Al-'Abidin would be made the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar if the opposition wrest the state from the Barisan Nasional.

"Unperturbed, Loke (MP for Rasah) again asked me to persuade Tunku Zain Al-'Abidin to contest a parliamentary seat in the coming general election and promise him of a cabinet post if the opposition come to power.

"But I did not convey the request. It does not make sense for the DAP to appoint this young Tunku as menteri besar while his father is the Yang Dipertuan Besar," Tunku Abdul Aziz said at a ceramah here tonight.

Tunku Abdul Aziz said it was unbecoming of the DAP to temp a member of the royal house in its quest for power.