KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 – Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon responded today to a call for an open debate by ex-party member Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping with mockery.
“Look, I have debated with Lim Kit Siang for four years in the state assembly. I’ve debated with Lim Guan Eng twice, once over TV.
“So ask Tan Kok Peng to look into the mirror whether he is qualified to debate with me,” Koh (picture) told reporters after the launch of the Fly the Jalur Gemilang Campaign here at the Batu Muda housing projects (PPP).
Tan, the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) president has challenged Koh to an open debate earlier today in Georgetown if the latter continues to criticise him in the media.
Tan, former state Gerakan vice-chairman, said he could not tolerate anymore criticisms from Koh, the former Penang chief minister.
“I do not have any personal agenda when I said earlier that Koh had not done anything during his 18 years as Penang chief minister.
“I never wanted to be in the limelight as claimed by Koh. What I said earlier (about Koh) is true and I was speaking on behalf of PCCC members,” Tan said in response to Koh’s recentstatement claiming that “Tan must be blind or senile for not being able to see the development in Penang before 2008”.
It was also reported earlier today that Koh, the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, had said the political attack against him was orchestrated by a ‘puppet master’ intent on seeing him vacate his post, ahead of the general election.
English daily The Star reported today Gerakan Youth Chief Lim Si Pin admitted there is a need for a change in the party leadership.
“I get a lot of that from members on the ground but I always ask them: I know you guys want a change in leadership, but tell me, change to who? They have no answer to that and neither do I,” he said.
Party members, as Lim admitted, are resigned to accepting the situation till the next general election which will decide the fate of the party
“We don’t usually comment on party matters openly unless it is necessary. So I feel that it is not necessary at this moment as yet, for me to comment,” Koh said.
When asked if Koh was eyeing a parliamentary seat outside of Penang, he did not deny the rumours.
“You will get to know when the time comes,” he said.
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