Aiman declined candidates' debate because BN did too - Saddiq

SEMENYIH POLLS | Pakatan Harapan candidate for Semenyih Muhammad Aiman Zainali's refusal to participate in Bersih's planned debate is due to the absence of his BN contender Zakaria Hanafi. 

This was relayed by Harapan Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman today, who said that any candidates' debate missing a key contender would only devolve into a speech.

"I was told that the Umno candidate did not want to debate, or wanted to withdraw himself. So there was a discussion at that stage if there is a need (to participate).

"In a debate, you need to have the best present, especially the key candidate. If not, it will just turn into a speech where you present your manifesto.

"Aiman (is a person who) talks less and serves more, and that is what he is known for," he told a press conference after chairing a Harapan Youth meeting in Semenyih.

When told that Aiman sometimes had trouble communicating his answers to reporters' questions, Syed Saddiq – once a champion debater himself – said that the candidate should be judged by his actions, especially his interactions with the local community.

Aiman said yesterday that he would decline Bersih's offer to participate in the debate, noting that he would prefer to focus on meeting voters during the two-week by-election campaign period.

Although both the Harapan and BN candidates rejected the invite, PSM candidate Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul and independent Kuan Chee Heng said they would have no problem sharing the debate stage.

Bersih had planned for the debate to take place at the Semenyih campus of the University of Nottingham Malaysia on Feb 25, just under a week before the March 2 polls.

A similar debate was organised by the electoral watchdog for the Cameron Highlands by-election last month. It was the first in the country's history to be televised live.

'Double-edged sword'

At today's press conference, Syed Saddiq also noted that the former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's stumping for BN in Semenyih could turn out to be a "double-edged sword."

"The appearance of 'Bossku' is a double-edged sword, as everyone will be looking at him and not the candidate," he said, referring to Najib's new online persona.

Najib has become a main fixture of BN's campaign, making appearances in the constituency over the last five days.

'We have to be brave'

On another matter, Syed Saddiq said he would not be retracting his police report against Umno Youth exco Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris for alleged assault.

He said this in response to deputy inspector-general of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim characterising the incident as a "misunderstanding" earlier today.

Wan Muhammad, popularly known as Papagomo, was later released on police bail after spending three days in remand.

"We have to be brave because (we are) right," Syed Saddiq said, adding that new witnesses and evidence have emerged after Noor Rashid made his statement.

The Harapan Youth chief also stated that he was told by the police that he did not enter a zone designated for BN supporters.

The alleged attack occurred after the close of nomination for the Semenyih by-election, with Syed Saddiq being harassed by BN supporters as he made his way to his car.

He alleged that Wan Muhammad had put him in a headlock, while threatening him to not "mess with us."

Wan Muhammad, however, claimed that he was only hugging the youth and sports minister in an effort to protect him from rowdy BN supporters.

The Umno Youth leader admitted to telling Syed Saddiq that he was "stupid," but denied threatening him.

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