The DAP is prepared for the debate between federal minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to be held on April 19 on TV3.

DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke in a press conference today said that the date was suggested by Abdul Rahman’s private secretary.

Although the dates April 23 and April 24 were also suggested, the DAP did not agree to this due to the upcoming Sarawak polls.

The DAP’s conditions, however, are that debate be conducted live and last at least an hour.

Although Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak had said that Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) was ready to host the debate, the minister himself had told them that TV3 had also contacted him over the matter.

“They (TV3) asked RTM to give way,” said Loke.

He said it was only fitting for TV3 to host the debate since Buletin Utama has a campaign against Lim.

“It must be on prime time immediately after Buletin Utama and must be live,” said Loke on the debate.

However, should TV3 is unable to host the debate live, the DAP will go back to discussing things with RTM with regard to the debate.

As of now, however, the DAP has yet to receive any calls from TV3’s representatives.

Loke also sought to correct a report by Berita Harian which stated that Lim and Abdul Rahman’s representatives had met to discuss matters about the debate.

“We have not met, actually. They are only coming back on April 16,” said Loke, adding that the proposed dates were sent via SMS.

They have yet to also discuss matters pertaining to the format and the moderator who will be involved in the debate.

Loke said it would be better if TV3 could give more airtime since both Abdul Rahman and Lim have 15 questions for each other.

Meanwhile, asked why the DAP is insisting that the debate be held live, he said it is because they do not have confidence as a pre-recorded programme leaves room for editing works to be done.

No-holds-barred debate

On the Special Committee on Corruption (SCC) overseeing the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) which wants the debate to be called off , he said it is merely its own view.

“That is their view (but) we are proceeding with it. So far we have not heard from MACC besides their panel,” said Loke.

He is however unsure if it is the same position taken by the government on the matter or otherwise.

“We hope Rahman won’t use that as an excuse to chicken out and only debate on Twitter,” fellow DAP lawmaker Ong Kian Ming who was also at the press conference quipped.

Meanwhile, Loke refuted claims that the debate will only be confined to the Taman Manggis land issue.

“The allegation is that he (Lim) is trying to avoid the bungalow issue. They can throw in anything, it’s free-for-all, no-holds-barred.

“It's a live programme, make it as exciting as possible.”

Both Abdul Rahman and Lim have been locking horns through social media almost on a daily basis since news of the chief minister purchasing a bungalow below market price surfaced.

The debate then shifted to the Taman Manggis land. The contention here is over the alleged sale of KLIDC, which has bought the state land in Taman Manggis.