Johor polls: Dr Wee challenges Guan Eng to debate over construction of SJKC Kuek Ho Yao

KLANG: The Johor state election hots up with MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong calling DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng out for a debate.

Lim has been challenged to the debate over his claim that Dr Wee had not contributed as much as him towards the construction of SJKC Kuek Ho Yao.

Lim had allegedly made the claim at a ceramah during the second night of the Johor state election campaign.

Dr Wee said he did not fear debating the matter as his conscience was clear in regards to his contributions towards the school's construction.

The Transport Minister added his statement regarding Lim's party colleague Teo Nie Ching and “the mess” she had created during her short tenure as deputy education minister was also made with a clear conscience.

Dr Wee said the debate must take place for the Chinese community to know the truth.

"I hereby officially challenge Lim Guan Eng to have a debate on SJKC Kuek Ho Yao and the sequence of events.

"If he is unable to substantiate his allegations against me with evidence, while I can refute his claims and slanderous allegations, I urge Lim Guan Eng to resign as an elected representative and to quit politics for good," said Dr Wee.

He said unless Lim was prepared to do so, whatever he had said against him (Wee) were mere baseless allegations and criticism.

Dr Wee called Lim to be more professional in his approach and debate the matter with him as opposed to just making caustic remarks.

"Furthermore, we are both party leaders, so there is no issue about being of different levels," said Dr Wee.

According to Dr Wee, Lim had rejected a debate with him in 2018 over the undersea tunnel project scandal with the excuse that he (Dr Wee) was not a party leader and hence was not of the same position as him (Lim).

Dr Wee also said Lim can appoint Teo as the debate coordinator as she had done before when both of them had debated over the cabotage policy last year.

"I believe YB Teo Nie Ching can handle this job very well," said Dr Wee.

He asked for the proposed debate with Lim to be fixed on March 5 or 6 at the Johor Baru Tiong Hua Federation Hall.

Dr Wee said since Lim would be stepping down as party secretary-general on March 20 (during the party annual general meeting), it would be best to have the debate before that.

SJKC Kuek Ho Yao, which is located at UMLand Seri Austin, Johor was named after a late philanthropist who had contributed much in the state towards the Chinese community.

Both the then MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Dr Wee were among those who launched the school's groundbreaking ceremony in March 2018.