'You asked for debate, show up,' youth group tells Anwar's aide

Summary

• The National Youth Federation calls out PKR Youth chief Kamil Abdul Munim for failing to follow through on his own debate challenge issued to Sabah anti-corruption rally participants.

• The group says it will contact Kamil again.

The National Youth Federation (Federasi) today urged PKR Youth chief Kamil Abdul Munim to show up for a debate that he called for with participants of the Sabah Anti-Corruption Rally 2.0.

Kamil (above) had issued a challenge to the participants of the rally following the symbolic burning of Anwar Ibrahim's caricature in Kota Kinabalu.

In a statement, he asked the student protesters to "show yourselves and make smart arguments".

In a statement today, Federasi said the challenge was readily accepted by Borneo Komrad activist Mukmin Nantang, who had participated in the anti-corruption rally.

"Perhaps he thinks this is the right time for him to stand out. Mark his face - he'll surely become a PKR candidate again in future. That's why he's brown-nosing Anwar so thoroughly. If he carries on like this, he might even become a minister.

"Let me step forward then. Arrange a debate or forum," the group's statement quoted Mukmin as saying.

The group added that it had contacted Kamil on June 23 to request that he proceed with his challenge.

"However, his only response at the time was 'wasalam' (peace be upon you). But then he reappeared - not to respond, but to complain to the media, claiming that no one had taken up his challenge.

"This isn't confusion. This is the hypocrisy of Anwar's defenders. Challenge people, but when answered, immediately dodge. Cowardly, dishonest and without honour," it said.

The National Youth Federation said it will contact Kamil again for the debate.

"This time we hope brother Kamil will not act cowardly again," it said.

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