MCA, DAP top dogs to debate live?

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has agreed to a Nov 2 debate with Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong about the country’s cabotage policy, nearly three weeks after the MCA president issued the challenge during Parliament proceedings on Sept 30.

In a brief statement to MalaysiaNow, the Bagan MP said he had accepted the challenge.

Kulai MP Tio Nie Ching meanwhile said Lim wanted the debate to be aired live on television as well as on digital platforms.

“TV3 told me that they are ready to host the debate between LGE and WKS at 9pm on Nov 2, but it will only be aired on digital platforms and not on TV,” she said in a Facebook post.

She said Astro Awani meanwhile had agreed to broadcast the debate on both its television channel as well as its digital platforms.

A war of words had earlier taken place between Lim and Wee over the organisation of the debate.

On Sept 30, they had argued during the oral question-and-answer session about the government’s cabotage policy. Lim said the policy had caused the country to suffer losses in relation to an underwater cable installation project.

Wee meanwhile said the government’s cabotage policy was not the only factor in Malaysia’s non-involvement in the Apricot project.

He said other factors including the offer and conditions set by technology companies were also taken into account.

The leaders of DAP and MCA had met in a debate before, in February 2012 in Kuala Lumpur.

The two leaders had met in a debate before, in February 2012 in Kuala Lumpur.

MCA was represented by its president Chua Soi Lek while Lim represented DAP.

The debate, which was held in Mandarin, had revolved around the political future of the Chinese community in Malaysia.

They debated a second time in July of that year.

This time, Wee said the debate should be held in the national language.

MalaysiaNow is attempting to contact Wee to confirm his agreement to the debate on Astro Awani’s channels.