Bersih cancels plan to host debate between Sabah CM candidates

 

Electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 has cancelled its plan to hold a debate between Sabah chief minister candidates.

In a statement, it said that the decision was made because only one candidate has agreed to participate in the event which was scheduled for this Saturday.

According to the NGO, the sole politician who had agreed to join was Pandikar Amin Mulia, who is the de facto chief of the United Sabah National Organisation.

"Pandikar Amin is the first to have responded positively to the invitation while Bersih 2.0 is still waiting for a favourable reply from the other candidates.

"The other prospective candidates for the position of chief minister who were invited to join the debate were Warisan president Mohd Shafie Apdal, Parti Cinta Sabah president Anifah Aman, Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin, Sabah Bersatu chief Hajiji Noor and former chief minister Chong Kah Kiat from the Liberal Democratic Party.

"Unfortunately, all the other candidates either did not respond or disagreed to the debate before the due date that was set by us.

"We laud Pandikar Amin for willing to face the voters and explain his party’s vision and manifesto for Sabah. This sets a good example in contributing to a healthier and more mature election culture by engaging in policy debate in order for voters to make informed decisions for the elections," said the Bersih statement.

Last week, the organisation had offered to host a debate among politicians vying to become the next Sabah chief minister in the coming Sabah state election.

"We believe such election debate will improve the political culture in Sabah with more policy debates, political dialogues and intellectual exchanges to preserve a more democratic, intellectual and harmonious political environment,” it said then. - Mkini