GEORGE TOWN – Seeing that DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang has retired from active politics, fellow party member Steven Sim said he is ready to take up the challenge to debate hurled by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Sim, who is Bukit Mertajam MP and DAP national organising secretary, also took a swipe at Najib over the challenge to debate someone else following the one he had with opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“I remember, when he was the prime minister, Najib said debate is not our culture. Now after debating with Anwar, he wants to invite Lim to debate as well.
“I don’t think Lim needs to take up this challenge. He is retired. If Najib really sincerely wants a debate, come on, I welcome it,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Yesterday, Najib through his Facebook posts had challenged Lim to debate, accusing the DAP man of “inciting the people” and linking Najib to the Philippine presidential election.
“It is said that he has retired, but he keeps mentioning my name, saying that Malaysia will be a failed country, and trying to incite the people.
“Previously I debated with Anwar in Malay, but with uncle (Lim), let’s debate in English. On?” asked Najib.
Sim said he was also ready to debate with Najib in English, and offered the Pekan MP the opportunity to set a date and location for the event.
“Before this (in 2019) I once invited Datuk Seri (Najib) to a ‘pantun’ (poetry) battle, but was not entertained. Now we debate. On?”
On May 12, Najib and Anwar held an open debate on the polemics that plagued Sapura Energy Bhd, as well as various issues related to the country’s direction with regard to the economy, politics and governance.
Held at the Malaysia Tourism Centre, Kuala Lumpur, it was also broadcast live by several media organisations in the country. – The Vibes, May 21, 2022
