Anti-climactic end to MCA-DAP debate baiting

 

JOHOR POLLS | A week-long political one-upmanship over a debate challenge between MCA and DAP amid the polls campaign came to an anti-climactic end after they failed to secure police approval for the event.

State MCA secretary Ng Keng Heng said he received a notice from the Johor Bahru Selatan district police headquarters informing them that their application to hold the event has been rejected.

Johor Bahru Selatan district police headquarters deputy chief Lim Jit Huey, when contacted, also confirmed the matter with Malaysiakini.

The event was scheduled for 2pm today in Johor Bahru.

Ng, in a statement, said police were of the opinion that the event was political in nature and expressed concern that there could be provocations.

"Police were also of the opinion that organisers can hold the debate after the Johor polls and there was no necessity for it to proceed during the campaign period," he said.

Luring out Guan Eng

The debate challenge was first issued by MCA president Wee Ka Siong during the party's anniversary dinner in Yong Peng on the eve of the polls campaign (Feb 25).

He had challenged DAP's Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching, who was a former deputy education minister, to debate on Chinese education issues.

Teo promptly accepted the challenge but Wee then shifted his attention to Lim Guan Eng, asking to debate the DAP secretary-general instead.

Wee said his debate challenge to Teo was merely to "lure out" Lim.

MCA had even prepared posters announcing a debate between Wee and Lim on March 6 in Johor Bahru even though the Bagan MP had yet to respond to the matter.

Wee also shared a picture on social media of a hall booked for the debate with his and Lim's faces on each side of the stage.

However, Teo said Wee should debate her first as per the original challenge instead of trying to shift the goalposts.

After a back-and-forth that extended half of the 14-day campaign period, there will now be no debate.

MCA is banking on the state polls for a revival as it ups the pressure on DAP which is struggling with supporters' disillusionment following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.

MCA is contesting a total of 15 state seats. It failed to win any in the 2018 general election.

Campaigning for the state polls kicked off on Feb 26. Johoreans will go to the polls on March 12. - Mkini