DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang is prepared to take part in a debate with the prime minister and Umno president or any senior Umno leader on “who is a Malaysian patriot” or “what are the challenges of a Malaysian patriot in 2017”.

Lim’s proposal is in response to what he believes to be the maligning of former Umno presidents and deputy presidents by the current leaders for “becoming stooges or puppets after stepping down from office”.

“Umno leaders can disagree with their former Umno presidents and deputy presidents, but they should not malign their characters, as if Umno leaders, once they relinquish their positions, become morally worthless characters. Are they reflecting on their own moral character and worth?” Lim asked in a statement today...