PH must have ‘same level’ candidate to debate Onn Hafiz, says KJ

 The former Umno Youth chief says PH should name its menteri besar candidate if it wants a debate with Johor BN chairman Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said debates should only involve candidates who are on an equal footing from both sides.

SRI GADING:

Pakatan Harapan (PH) must name a Johor candidate of equal standing before any debate with state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Onn Hafiz Ghazi can take place, says former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

“If you want a debate, it has to be on the same level,” he said when met while campaigning for Najib Samuri, BN’s candidate in Parit Yaani.

“If you (PH) have identified a prospective Johor menteri besar, that is, if there is someone on the same level as Onn Hafiz, then okay, we can call for a debate.”

The debate proposal followed a suggestion from a Facebook page in conjunction with the Johor state election. The PH candidate for Puteri Wangsa, former education minister Maszlee Malik, said he accepted the challenge.

Onn Hafiz, however, declined the challenge, saying that it could create an unhealthy campaign environment.

Former Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi had claimed Onn Hafiz was avoiding the debate out of fear of facing Maszlee.

Khairy maintained that a debate should involve candidates of comparable standing, citing how debates in the US are held between presidential candidates from competing parties.

“Maszlee does not even have confirmation from Anwar Ibrahim (PH chairman) to become Johor menteri besar,” he pointed out.

Khairy further claimed the criticism directed at Onn Hafiz reflected his standing as a political threat and BN’s strongest asset in the state election.

“If not, they would not be paying so much attention to him,” he said. - FMT