The Penang chief minister told a press conference today that the issues to be deliberated should be made public to all segments of society, instead of merely the Mandarin-speaking public.
“I feel it is necessary for us to debate also in English and/or BM... for the benefit of the rest of Malaysia, and for democracy.
“So that those who are not well-versed in Mandarin would also benefit from the exchanges in the debate, where we want to see a contest of ideas, ideals and principles,” he said.
Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, is scheduled to face off with Dr Chua, MCA’s president, in a debate entitled “Is the two-party system becoming a two-race system?” from 5pm to 6pm at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel here this Saturday.
But according to organisers Asli Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) and Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (INSAP), the debate will be conducted out principally in Mandarin. It will be televised live by Astro AEC.
“So we are suggesting another debate. Maybe next week or the week after,” he said.
