PENANG UMNO : DEBATE ONLY WITH CM LIM GUAN ENG

Tue, Feb 23, 2010
National


GEORGETOWN: The Penang Umno Youth will only engage in an open debate if it is with chief minister Lim Guan Eng .

Its chief Norman Zahalan, who confirmed receiving an invitation to debate the allegedly persecution of Malay traders by Lim, said they were interested in thrashing it out with Lim, because he was the decision maker.

“We want to know what are Lim’s plans for the Malays of Penang,” Norman said.

Norman was, one of three officials of Penang Umno Youth, Penang Malay Chambers of Commerce and Federation of Peninsular Malay Students who were invited to to participate in a debate organise by Pakatan Rakyat on March 7.

State DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) head Yeoh Soon Hin said the debate, themed “The Penang Malay Issue: Between Provocation and Truth”, would be held at the Seberang Jaya Expo site.

The PR alliance would be represented by the Keadilan, DAP and PAS Youth at the debate which will chaired by an independent moderator.

“We want an open debate with the Penang Umno Youth, Penang Malay Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Peninsular Malay Students and we sent invitations to them today,” he said.

The invitation to debate follows a series of accusations and allegations made by Penang Malay chambers president Rizal Faris Mohideen against Lim. Apart from using the race card and calling him a dictator and communist, Rizal had also reportedly accused him of sidelining Malay traders and businessmen in Penang.

Lim has countered the allegations with statistics and proof of contracts issued to Malay businessmen in Penang.