Muslim students' group backs debate between PM candidates

 

The National Union Of Malaysian Muslim Students (PKPIM) has urged all prime ministerial candidates to debate each within a university.

In a statement today, PKPIM said debates were encouraged in Islam in order to allow Muslims to evaluate the ability of their national leaders.

“PKPIM and other students are prepared to organise a debate for prime ministerial candidates.

“The public should not vote for candidates who are afraid of debates,” said PKPIM president Ahmad Farhan Rosli.

Farhan said other candidates for the upcoming election should also debate their opponents in their respective localities. 

“This is a process that will help Malaysia’s democracy become more mature and ensure that ideas and policies are a central part of Malaysian politics,” he said.

Malaysia has never had a debate between prime ministerial candidates. 

However, Anwar called for such a debate yesterday, stressing that a civil discussion about policy and ideas was better than mudslinging.

Anwar is Pakatan Harapan's candidate for prime minister for the 15th general election. BN and Perikatan Nasional have named Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Muhyiddin Yassin respectively as their candidates. - Mkini