Political forum loses venue at eleventh hour

A political forum featuring speakers from both sides of the political divide to discuss issues relating to the 13th general election has lost its venue just two days before the event.

Berjaya Hotel, Times Square, an upmarket hotel located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and owned by tycoon Vincent Tan, has decided not to provide its ballroom to the forum organised by the Centre for Public and Policy Studies (CPPS).

The CPPS operates under the Asian Strategic and Leadership Institute (Asli), a local think tank.

CPPS director Ng Yeen Seen (right) said it was regrettable for such news to come at the eleventh hour and felt such a refusal was totally uncalled for.

“We are committed to the key objectives of this event; to ensure that the public remain issue-focused while at the same time allowing all interested parties equal access to speech as well as the right to reply during the upcoming general election,” she said in a statement today.

Ng, however, did not reveal the reason behind Berjaya Hotel’s refusal to serve as venue.

Rather than cancelling the forum entitled 'What are the three key issues that will determine the outcome of the 13th GE', CPPS has decisided to move it to Corus Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

The event will still be held on this Wednesday from 7.30pm to 10pm.

Using the tag line '88 minutes to help you decide the outcome of 13th general election', four young leaders from BN and Pakatan Rakyat will go head-to-head during the forum.

Umno supreme council member Saifuddin Abdullah (left) and MCA vice-president Gan Ping Sieu will appear for BN, while DAP election strategist Liew Chin Tong and PAS strategist Mujahid Yusof Rawa will represent Pakatan.

The forum will be streamed live on new Internet TV provider KiniTV's YouTubechannel and homepage, as YouTube and KiniTV are the official platform partners for the forum.

Limited seats are available for members of the public but they must register at the CPPS website beforehand to reserve their seats, they can also email Adila@cpps.org.my or call 03 20932820.

A hundred seats will be allocated for KiniTV fans on a first-come first-served basis.