Cabotage debate: Guan Eng should handle things professionally

BAGAN MP Lim Guan Eng needs to stop with the provocative antics when dealing with national issues. As a statesman and senior party leader, he should strive to be professional and handle things with professionalism.

The current challenge for a debate between Lim and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong is not something new.

However, two prior invitations for debates ended with Lim declining to participate.

Back in 2018, Lim rejected an invitation from the Ayer Hitam MP for a debate on the undersea tunnel scandal involving billions of taxpayers’ money.

According to him, he did not want to lower his position as the DAP secretary-general to debate with Dr Wee, who was only the number two in MCA (deputy president) at the time.

The following year, Dr Wee, as MCA president invited Lim, the incumbent finance minister to a debate over allocations for Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC, previously TARC).

Again, Lim refused, despite boldly politicising the matching grant which has sustained TAR UC’s operations.

It should be noted that this allocation is a special instrument grant which was announced by former education minister Tun Hussein Onn in August 22, 1972.

The matching grant system was a special arrangement for TAR UC so that education could be affordable for Malaysians who wish to pursue tertiary education.

Back to the present, Lim responded this time by utilising fake WhatsApp screenshots to frame the situation negatively.

When the screenshots were exposed, Lim Guan Eng simply brushed it off as a "meme" and claimed it was made for satirical purposes.

This should not be the standard for DAP politicians. Misleading the people should never be an option.

Furthermore, Dr Wee has already assured that the debate will be held after Budget 2022 has been presented. TV3 has also contacted both parties and proposed the debate to be held on Nov 2. Following that, Dr Wee has also agreed with the date. So why is Lim still so agitated?

The rakyat is always watching and judging their elected representatives. If Lim is up for the challenge, then just stay calm and get ready for the debate.

I urge him to learn to control his conduct and not act purely according to emotions. Enough of talking big, and get yourself to the debate on Nov 2.

MIKE CHONG YEW CHUAN

MCA spokesman