Asyraf, Noraini say presidential debate good for party

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth and Wanita have backed the proposal for a presidential candidate debate in the run-up to the polls for the party’s top posts.

The party wings are of the view that such a debate would be important in highlighting the candidates’ personalities in outlining Umno’s future direction.

Such a move would also, they said, restore the people’s confidence in the party.

Newly-elected Umno Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said: “I’m agreeable to the debate or intellectual discourse between the presidential candidates.

“We should be brave in facing anyone, whether they are friends or foes, as the future of the country should not be merely in one direction,” he said after the results of the Wanita, Youth and Puteri polls were announced at the Umno headquarters here.

Wanita Umno chief Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad said such a debate was an opportunity for candidates to explain the future direction of the party.

“(Through the debate), they can share views with party members and the rakyat.

“The people are also observers and will evaluate what we are planning and seeking to implement.

“This would restore the people’s confidence in the party,” she said.

The polls for the party’s president post will take place on June 30 and will see a threecornered fight among Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Khairy Jamaluddin.

Earlier this week, Tengku Razaleigh invited his opponents to a debate.

Khairy accepted the challenge the next day.

Zahid also accepted the challenge, on the condition that the debate would be streamed live from Bagan Datuk, where he would have a previous engagement there on that day.