Known for its critical views on the DAP, the Penang Malay Congress (PMC) has defended the "Malayness" of the party's publicity secretary, Zairil Khir Johari.

NONE PMC president Rahmad Isahak ( left ) said former DAP vice-chairperson Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim's criticism of Zairil's race and religion was an attempt to prevent those of other faiths from learning more about Islam.

"As a senior citizen, Tunku Aziz should be more sensitive about this issue, especially when it involves someone's image or dignity," Rahmad said.

"From the aspect of the Islamic religion, questioning a convert is like destroying the faith," he added.

"We want to ask Tunku Aziz if Zairil's blood is not from a Muslim family and after he professes Islam, does he not have a position as a Malay and as a Muslim in DAP?," he queried.

"What exactly is the position of Malay and Islam in DAP, since Tunku Aziz is more familiar with the situation when he was in the party?"

Tunku Aziz: Zairil not a Malay

Rahmad was referring to Tunku Aziz's latest criticism of Zairil, saying that despite being elected following a technical glitch in the voting process during the Dec 51 DAP national congress in Penang, Zairil could not pass for a Malay as his biological parents were Chinese.

The former Transparency International chairperson was quoted by New Straits Times as saying that if the DAP central executive committee wanted the legitimacy it now lacked, "then they need to have fresh elections".

NONE Tunku Aziz ( right ) said this at a ceramah with former DAP and PKR leaders at the Tan Si Eng Chuang Tong Association Hall in Penang. The ceramah, dubbed "The days we were in Pakatan Rakyat", was held last Saturday.

Zairil has responded by expressing great sadness and disappointment that Tunku Aziz has "fallen so low" and has attacked his lineage and family name.

"I know who my father is, and that is enough for me. I am also proud to say that not only have I inherited his blood, I hope, more importantly, that I have inherited his integrity, tenacity and principles," he added.

The Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's political secretary said this in his blog today.

Tunku Aziz told to withdraw statement

Meanwhile, Rahmad said he failed to understand why Tunku Aziz was issuing the statement despite he being a Malay and a professional.

Based on his personal observation, he added, Zairil was more Malay and Islamic than Tunku Aziz.

"Have we ever heard Tunku Abdul Aziz speak in Bahasa Malaysia? What is his contribution to the community when he was in DAP? How many resolutions has he made in the Senate when he was a senator?"

Rahmad also slammed the former senator for bringing about a negative perception towards Islam among the other communities through his comments about Zairil.

He urged the Tunku Aziz to retract his statement and also called on Zairil to be "more responsible" towards his own community.

"Do not be made use of by certain quarters in the DAP to avoid being criticised for any lack of Malayness or of being Islamic in the future," Rahmad added.