“Let’s have debate between PM designates”
There will no ‘safe seats’ going into the 13the general elections says DAP national chairman Karpal Singh
(Free Malaysia Today) – It is time for Malaysians to adopt the US-type presidential pre-election debate to provide first-hand information and knowledge on country’s future policies to electorates, says DAP.
Proposing a televised premier debate between Prime Minister-designate candidates of both Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional for the next general election, DAP national chairman Karpal Singh said it would spice up the democratic flavour of Malaysian electoral process.
“The voters will know a future premier’s policies and make better judgment.. But BN will not want it,” said Karpal adding that while Pakatan premier candidate Anwar Ibrahim would be gutsy to face the challenge, BN’s incumbent Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak would ‘chicken out’ from such debate.
Karpal also welcomed the proposal by the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reform to allow sufficient and fair access to mainstream media, especially air time in state-sponsored radio and television channels, for all contesting political parties in the next election.
He said Najib’s administration should also adopt and implement all electoral reform proposals before the next election.
He also said Najib should repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA) as promised in the coming March parliamentary sitting.
He predicted that the next parliamentary sitting, which would last for a month, could be the last for this term before dissolution to pave way for the country’s 13th General Election because “Najib can no longer prolong it.”
Morally, he said Najib can’t afford to continue governing the country with a federal government and Cabinet inherited from his predecessor Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
“Najib got to call for election fast to obtain his own mandate and earn his rights to govern the country.
“Any delay will erode his credibility,” Karpal told newsmen during his routine Bukit Gelugor parliamentary constituency visit here today.
