WHO IS KIT SIANG? No need for debate, says Dr M

SEREMBAN- TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad has rejected DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang's challenge for a debate with him, and dismissed it as a "school-like" challenge.

The former prime minister said he currently does not hold any political position, and thus, did not see the necessity of accepting such a challenge.

"I am not contesting in the 13th General Election. I am not even an adviser of any parties either. Why do I need to participate in such a debate?"

He said he is always available to comment or respond to any issues raised by Lim, but it should not necessarily be in the form of public debate.

"If he wants to respond to what I have said, he is most welcome to do so. And I will respond in kind. But there is no need for a public debate.

"Such debates are only practised in schools. We can still go on debating issues via an open debate, like what I am doing now."

Mahathir was speaking to reporters after launching the "Criminalise War Club" at Tunku Kurshiah college at Enstek here.

The club aims to educate the young about the negative aspects of war and to promote the idea that war is a form of crime.

Present was his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali.

Lim, in a blog posting on April 10, had challenged Mahathir to a series of seven public debates on Mahathir's 22 years as the fourth prime minister of Malaysia.

He had also previously challenged Mahathir to contest in the Gelang Patah constituency, in which Lim had declared his intention to contest for its parliamentary seat.

Mahathir had rejected Lim's challenge, saying that he had retired from politics and urged Lim to follow suit.

Asked on Barisan Nasional's (BN) chances in the upcoming general election, Mahathir did not discount the possibility that the coalition could win with a two-thirds majority.

"I am confident that BN will be able to win more seats this time compared to the previous 2008 general election," he said.

- New Straits Times