Gobind: Telecast of Umno presidential debate possible

Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo. – Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: A debate between the Umno presidential candidates, should it come to pass, may just be telecast by RTM.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo (pic) said he would be willing to ask RTM to telecast the debate, if it happens and the candidates want a platform.

"It is up to them to take up the debate challenge, but if they need a platform I will bring it to RTM's attention," he said when asked on the matter at a press conference on Wednesday (June 20).

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, one of the candidates, had said he was willing to debate fellow contenders Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Khairy Jamaluddin before the Umno polls on June 30.

Earlier on Wednesday, Khairy welcomed the challenge, saying that a healthy debate was good for the democratic process.

On Sunday (June 17), Umno executive secretary Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh confirmed seven names had been submitted to contest the Umno president post at the party polls on June 30.

However, he only confirmed the identities of three candidates namely Khairy, Tengku Razaleigh and Dr Ahmad Zahid.

Ab Rauf said Umno would announce the rest of the names at a later date.