[UPDATED] Ask Guan Eng, not me: Kit Siang on ‘frogs’ as Pakatan candidates

AYER KEROH – DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang appears to steer clear of questions on his party’s stand on Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) decision to field two former Umno members under the coalition’s banner in the Melaka polls.

In a press conference today, the defensive Iskandar Puteri lawmaker dismissed a barrage of questions on the matter, saying: “I’m the wrong person to ask.”

“I think you have to ask the secretary-general (Lim Guan Eng) on this. I’ll leave it to him,” he said after the launch of his book Lim Kit Siang – Patriot, Leader, Fighter, by party colleague Liew Chin Tong here today.

When asked if DAP would endorse and campaign for the two former Umno candidates, the party adviser refused to comment.

“I’m not part of the (PH) leadership,” said Kit Siang.

Yesterday, PH leadership announced that former Umno veteran and incumbent Sg Udang rep Datuk Seri Idris Haron will be running for the Asahan seat as part of PKR’s 11-seat allocation.

Meanwhile, Pantai Kundor incumbent Datuk Nor Azman Hassan will defend his seat under the PH banner as part of Amanah’s nine-seat allocation.

‘EC should organise live telecast debates, especially for CM candidates’

Meanwhile, Liew, who was at the press conference, has suggested for the Election Committee (EC) to emulate and take inspiration from the live debate on the cabotage policy between Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

He said the EC should implement it during the Melaka election campaigning period that kicks off tomorrow.

He added that live debates should involve chief minister candidates from each coalition and candidates in key constituencies.

“This could be emulated across the board in Melaka where we can see (Melaka PH chief) Adly Zahari debating with chief minister candidates from Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional. There should be at least two to three rounds for the chief minister candidates.

“Candidates should be given access to (airtime on) national television to start a new culture. This is one of the ways to allow a fair election because we are all having problems reaching out to boomers.

“I think access to electronic media is so crucial to everyone.”

In addition, he has urged the EC to issue the set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding the election.

“The SOPs that we have now comes from the Health Ministry, not the EC. The guideline should be based on this – elections must be held fair and square and provide equal access to everyone.

“The EC must act fair and show that the body is free from political interference,” he said. – The Vibes, November 7, 2021