IF NAJIB NOT OUT TO CREATE ‘MALAY VS CHINESE’ CONFLICT LIKE HIS DAD WAS ACCUSED OF DOING TO TOPPLE TUNKU IN 1969 – WHY DOESN’T HE DARE TAKE ON RAYER’S CHALLENGE TO DEBATE: OR IS NAJIB ONLY INTERESTED TO CREATE ANTI-CHINESE SENTIMENTS VIA KIT SIANG?

KUALA LUMPUR — Just several hours after DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang withdrew from debating with Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer has offered himself as replacement instead.

Rayer was quoted saying he was more than capable to take on Najib, while an elder statesman like Lim should not waste his time debating with an alleged kleptocrat.

“It is inappropriate for Lim Kit Siang to debate Najib. Why should he be lowering his self-esteem (standards) debating with Najib?

“Furthermore, there was ample opportunity for Najib to debate before the May 9 general election last year, like the ‘Nothing to Hide’ forum with Dr Mahathir Mohamad,” he was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today.

Rayer further added that Najib can debate with him on anything and everything.

This comes as the Iskandar Puteri MP retracted his decision earlier today, citing fears that the event may be turned into an ethnic conflict.

Najib and Lim both agreed to a public debate earlier this week, with the former suggesting the debate take place after Aidilfitri next month and for the event to be broadcast “live”.

However, Najib had previously said that Rayer, who recently criticised him, could not be the moderator of the planned debate. -MALAY MAIL

Najib: I received info Harapan fears Kit Siang will be defeated

Minutes after Lim Kit Siang issued a media statement announcing his withdrawal from a debate with Najib Abdul Razak, the latter said he received information that Pakatan Harapan was planning to pull the plug on the event.

In a Facebook posting this evening, the former premier said there were concerns within Harapan and DAP that Lim could be defeated.

“I notice that there are steps put in motion to cancel the debate. They are worried Lim might be vanquished in the debate,” he added.

Lim had cited concerns that the debate could be used to stir up racial sentiments and denied that his decision was due to cowardice.

Meanwhile, Najib claimed there were also those in Harapan who are concerned that he would raise issues which Lim (photo) would find difficult to deflect, as well as expose the coalition’s propaganda as lies and slander.

“Harapan should have full trust and confidence in Lim because he has been DAP’s boss for more than 50 years.

“Harapan should know that nobody would be forced to watch the debate and that public funds would not be used for the event.

“In the spirit of democracy and transparency, let this debate proceed with the title suggested by DAP, which I had agreed to,” he added.

The debate was first mooted by Najib in a recent media interview due to Lim constantly attacking him in the latter’s media statements over the 1MDB scandal.

Following this, the DAP veteran, who accepted the dare, suggested that the debate be on “How Malaysia became a global kleptocracy.”

Najib subsequently agreed to the title, but said that in fairness, other topics must also be included. – MKINI

MALAY MAIL / MKINI