Guan Eng will consider debating Liow

GEORGE TOWN: DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng (pix) may consider the prospect of a public debate if MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai issues a challenge.
Similar to when the then MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek had issued a challenge and Lim accepted it (in 2012), the proposed debate should be between the number one in each other's party, Lim told a press conference.
For DAP and many other socialist parties; the number one post in the party is the secretary-general post which Lim has held since 2005.
He was responding to MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong's proposal for a debate over the controversial RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel project.
Wee had reportedly branded Lim as a coward for his refusal to debate on grounds that it should be a platform between number one of each respective parties.
Lim went to great lengths to clarify that the decision to not accept Wee's challenge was based on protocol and mutual respect.
"It is best that for a debate, the number one versus number one makes sense. If not, then I will challenge Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak) but we respect Najib as the prime minister and should anyone want to challenge him, it should be none other than Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed, the Opposition's designated prime minister," Lim explained.
Lim accused Wee of not respecting the party hierarchy and disrespecting him.
If Wee wants to brand me a coward; so be it, said Lim.
"I can be a coward for fighting Umno; a coward for going to jail twice. Or for fighting the 1MDB (scandal). Wee's argument should be based on reasonable and logical demands."
Later, Lim's political secretary Wong Hon Wai announced that this Sunday's ceramah gathering at the Esplanade in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of Pakatan Harapan's upset victory in the 2008 general elections, would attract the top five leaders of the Opposition alliance.
He confirmed that Mahathir will be making his maiden appearance at a Pakatan ceremah on the island after he joined forces with the Opposition.
Wong also confirmed that Pakatan will make a surprise political announcement at the gathering, adding that light refreshments in the form of hawker fare will be available to the crowd attending the event, which starts at 7pm.
The organisers are hoping for a mammoth gathering to set the tone for the Opposition to campaign in the next general election.