Melaka polls: Pakatan challenges MCA to debates in all four seats they contest

MELAKA, Nov 2 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) has proposed holding open debates with Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates from MCA contesting four seats in the 16th Melaka state election, expanding a challenge initially directed at its candidate for the Banda Hilir seat.

PH Melaka deputy chairman Khoo Poay Tiong said the proposal followed MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong’s challenge to the PH candidate for Banda Hilir to hold a debate in the constituency.

“PH therefore proposes that the debate be expanded to involve candidates from both parties in all four constituencies contested by MCA and PH.

“Our four candidates are Low Chee Leong for Kota Laksamana, Leng Chau Yen for Banda Hilir, Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir for Kelebang and Ginie Lim for Machap Jaya,” he told a daily PH press conference at Bukit Piatu here today.

Also present was DAP National Political Education Director Howard Lee Chuan How.

Khoo, who is also Melaka DAP chairman, said the debates could be held at a neutral venue agreed upon by both sides, with an independent non-governmental organisation (NGO) acting as mediator to ensure fair discussions.

He also proposed that the debates be conducted in Bahasa Melayu so that Melaka residents from diverse backgrounds could understand the arguments and positions presented by both sides.

“The debates could be held as soon as possible, before November 14,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lee said PH had also proposed debates involving the top leadership of both parties to discuss national policies affecting Melaka.

He said open debates would provide a platform for both sides to explain their respective policies and positions to the people, while encouraging transparent competition of ideas as part of democratic practice.

Polling is on November 14, with early voting set for November 10.

For updates on the state election, visit https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026/. — Bernama