Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng assured today that the debate between state executive councillor Lim Hock Seng and Gerakan secretary-general Liang Teck Meng on the undersea tunnel will go on.

Lim said Penangites like Hock Seng were brave and did not avoid debates, unlike BN strategic communications director, Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

He was referring to the federal minister's refusal to debate with Lim on TV3 on April 19, following advice that it might be prejudicial to investigations on the Taman Manggis land issue and Lim’s bungalow in Penang.

“He (Hock Seng) will not run away, go overseas or hide and use the inspector-general of police (Khalid Abu Bakar) to stop the debate,” Lim said at a press conference in Komtar today.

“Besides, the challenge to debate came from Liang, and not Hock Seng, so don’t twist and turn your words."

Hock Seng had earlier rejected a separate debate proposal from Penang Gerakan Acting Youth chief Jason Loo, saying the latter was merely seeking publicity.

Loo had been taunting Hock Seng, who is the exco in charge of public works, utility and transportation, with questions over the undersea tunnel linking Gurney Drive to Butterworth and three highways on the island.

This prompted Liang to say in a press statement on June 11 that he was willing to take over Loo's place.

Lim said today that Hock Seng had earlier refused to debate Liang because he was not aware the latter is the secretary-general of Gerakan.

Hock Seng, who is Bagan Jermal assemblyperson, also did not know Liang is the Simpang Renggam MP, Lim added.

Debate on Tuesday

Meanwhile, Lim invited Reeza Merican Naina Merican to attend the debate.

The foreign ministry deputy minister had previously urged Lim to ensure it would take place for the people's sake.

“The debate should be held as the people would know the real story of the tunnel project,” Lim said.

“Rest assured, Penangites are not cowards and won’t run helter-skelter to run away from the debate."

Lim expressed hope that Liang would arrange for a live telecast of the debate as the state government would be providing the venue.

Meanwhile, Lim’s political secretary Wong Hon Wai confirmed the debate would be held at 9pm on Tuesday, June 28, at the Caring Society Complex.

Wong said a moderator would be appointed for the session, and the name of the person had been sent to Liang to review.

“The session will be conducted in Bahasa Malaysia,” said Wong, who is Air Itam assemblyman.