KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 ― Constitutional law expert Dr Abdul Aziz Bari has joined DAP, the party’s national publicity secretary Tony Pua announced today.

At a press conference flanked by DAP leaders including party veteran Lim Kit Siang and recent recruit Datuk A. Samad Said, Abdul Aziz said he hoped to be able to contribute to the Malaysian dream with his involvement in the party.

“I am looking for a bigger space or rather a grouping to my mind that will give me more freedom or a place whereby my talent or expertise will be fully utilised,” he told reporters at the party headquarters here.

Last month, Aziz likened rumours of his entry into DAP to a “joke”.

The academic previously contested on a PKR ticket during the general election at Sabak Bernam.

Today, Aziz said he had met with PKR secretary-general and vice-president Rafizi Ramli regarding his decision join DAP, but refused to provide further details.

As for the relationship with DAP, he said he has been indirectly working with the party since Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is also the party’s secretary-general, appointed him as a fellow at the Penang Institute.

“That gave me the opportunity to observe closely the way DAP operates and I see that DAP is fast, efficient and it gives me the space.

“I am attracted to the openness, meritocratic and transparent ways in DAP and I promise to give as best as I can, to make changes,” he said.

Pua, who is also the Petaling Jaya Utara MP, said he hoped the party's newest addition will strengthen its legal team and possibly one day be an elected representative.

Aziz stressed, however, that he only wanted to contribute to the party and is “not asking for any posts”.

He said DAP has proven that it has the strength and ability to move forward, as evident in its share of Parliament and state seats, which surpassed both PKR and PAS.

“I hope my participation will accelerate the speed toward Putrajaya and we want to create a two-party system which I think is important to ensure our Constitutional principles are practised and strengthened.

“Without a solid two-party system, I don't see how pledges in our Constitution can be enjoyed by the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, national laureate and new DAP member Datuk A. Samad Said who was also at the same press conference, said he was surprised when told that Aziz would join the party but is very happy that he chose to do so.

He expressed hope that the law professor’s participation will further help to dispel the Malay community’s view of DAP as a Chinese party.

“That was my ambition when I joined DAP, because DAP is the only one, as far as I know, the only organisation that is clean, has a base, has figures that are independent and want to contribute to develop a country that is more fair, democratic and welfare, appropriate with Malaysia's dream,” he said.