Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has accused broadcasting station Astro Awani of refusing to broadcast live his debate with MCA president Chua Soi Lek due to political pressure.

"We suspect the refusal of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to debate with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and his weak explanation that such debates are not part of our culture is the reason Astro will not have a live broadcast," said Lim.

He is due to debate with the MCA leader on Sunday at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, Petaling Jaya on the topic of ‘DAP vs MCA: Whose policies benefit the country more?'

Lim claimed that Astro had previously indicated in no uncertain terms that the debate would be broadcast live, and debate organisers Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) are not imposing financial charges.

"With no financial obstacles and high public viewer interest, there is no commercial reason for Astro not to broadcast live the debate.

"Clearly there must be political pressure exerted on Astro," said the DAP secretary-general.

He rubbished the explanation from Astro that time is needed to prepare the subtitles, saying that everyone understands the national language.

The first debate between the two veteran politicians was entitled ‘Chinese at a political crossroads: Is the two-party system becoming a two-race system?' and took place on Feb 18.

It was conducted entirely in Mandarin, and was broadcast live by Astro.

After Lim called on Najib to emulate their example, the prime minister brushed aside the series of debates which have took place between BN and Pakatan Rakyat representatives and claimed this was not part of Malaysia's political culture.