The youth wings of the opposition alliance in Penang have invited Umno Youth and the Malay non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to participate in a debate on March 7.

State DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) head Yeoh Soon Hin said today the debate, themed ‘The Penang Malay Issue: Between Provocation and Truth", would be held at the Seberang Jaya Expo site.

The opposition alliance would be represented by the PKR, DAP and PAS Youth at the debate to be chaired by an independent moderator.

"We want an open debate with the Penang Umno Youth, Penang Malay Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Peninsular Malay Students and we sent invitations to them today," he told reporters here.

They had until March 3 to respond and if they turned down the invitations, the forum would be turned into a talk by the opposition alliance youth wings, he added.

‘We want Lim’

He said the debate was aimed at explaining to Penangites the issues relating to the Malays and Muslims in the state which were becoming hot issues.

Responding to the challenge, Penang Umno Youth chief Norman Zahalan said Penang Umno Youth was only interested in engaging in a debate with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng as the latter was the decision-maker.

"We want to know what are Lim's plans for the Malays of Penang," he told reporters. He confirmed receiving the invitation to the debate this morning.

- Bernama