The much anticipated debate between Lim Guan Eng and Abdul Rahman Dahlan to be televised live on TV3 on April 19, has been canned on police advice.
Media Prima Bhd news and current affairs group managing editor Mohd Ashraf Abdullah said it is heeding advice from both police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
“After taking into account inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar and MACC investigations director Azam Baki, Media Prima has decided to postpone the debate between Rahman and Guan Eng which was to be broadcast on TV3 next Tuesday.
“TV3 respects the views of Khalid and Azam that the debate might be prejudicial to investigations on the controversial Taman Manggis land issue and that of Lim’s bungalow in Penang,” he said in a statement.
The debate will be postponed to a date which will be announced later, he said.
Khalid in a tweet last night said it would be "prejudicial to witnesses and the case".
"Police request that all TV stations cancel this program because the investigation is not yet complete," he said.
Debat ketika ini boleh akibatkan prejudis atas saksi & kes. @PDRMsia minta semua stesyen TV hentikan r'cangan ini sebelum kes selesai.
— Khalid Abu Bakar (@KBAB51) April 15, 2016
Lim, who is Penang Chief Minister was to debate Housing, Local Government and Urban Well-being Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan over the Taman Manggis land.
(READ MORE: Your KiniGuide to the controversial Taman Manggis land )
Umno is accusing Lim of receiving kickbacks in the form of discounts for a bungalow purchase, after approving the sale and status conversion of state land Taman Manggis to a private firm.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's independent review panel also said the debate would be prejudicial to ongoing investigations.
Abdul Rahman said he is “utterly disappointed” but must heed advice from the police and MACC.
He said his team has been working hard compiling "irrefutable proof" implicating Lim in a "double scandal".
The evidence will not be turned over to the authorities, he said.
“As a cabinet member, I could not possibly go against PDRM and MACC’s directive,” he said on Twitter.
As advised by the IGP, I will now surrender all our documentary proofs which I originally planned to show in the debate to PDRM next week.
— Abdul Rahman Dahlan (@mpkotabelud) April 16, 2016
Lim, however, said that as far as he is concerned, the debate is still on .
He also suggested that the minister was saved by the police chief.
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