I’ll consider debates if topic and purpose are clear, says Aminuddin

 The Negeri Sembilan PH chairman was responding to questions on whether he was prepared to debate Negeri Sembilan Umno chief Jalaluddin Alias.

Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun said certain sensitive matters should not be debated as they could have negative consequences.

PETALING JAYA:

Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun said he would carefully assess any proposal for a debate before deciding whether to take part.

The Negeri Sembilan Pakatan Harapan chairman said any debate must have a clear focus and should not touch on sensitive matters that could have negative consequences.

“I will look at the suitability and what is needed for us to hold such a debate. I also need to see what the topic is,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.

“There are sensitive matters that do not need to be debated as they could have negative effects.”

Aminuddin was responding to questions on whether he was prepared to debate Negeri Sembilan Umno chief Jalaluddin Alias, who said he was willing to accept an invitation from any opponent.

Jalaluddin, the Barisan Nasional candidate for Pertang, told Sinar Harian that he had no intention of challenging anyone to a public debate but would not reject one if invited.

Jalaluddin was responding to questions on whether he was prepared to debate Aminuddin.

The possibility of a debate comes amid renewed rivalry between PH and BN following the withdrawal of support for Aminuddin by 14 Umno-BN assemblymen on April 27. PH and BN had previously been part of the state government coalition.

The 14 assemblymen later agreed to continue supporting the state unity government in the interest of political stability, although Negeri Sembilan Umno maintained that it had lost confidence in Aminuddin’s leadership.

Aminuddin also acknowledged that BN’s cooperation with Perikatan Nasional, as well as talk of a “Malay wave”, could pose a challenge to PH in the state.

However, he said such sentiments appeared to have little impact in Negeri Sembilan and that voters were capable of making their own assessments. - FMT