Hype over MA63 debate fizzles out following no-show by Pandikar
KUCHING: The highlyanticipated debate on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA 63) between State Reform Party (STAR) president Lina Soo and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia did not materialise yesterday as the latter failed to turn up.
There was no sight of Pandikar by 2pm – the time the debate was supposed to commence.
There were disappointed faces among the 100 people who turned up at Grand Continental Hotel yesterday to watch the debate.
Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDS Baru) president John Cobbold Lusoi, who was among them, said the absence of Pandikar was an indication that he was ‘scared’.
“His (Pandikar’s) failure to turn up shows that he is scared to face Lina (Soo) in the debate,” he pointed out.
A letter from Pandikar’s private secretary dated Dec 22, which was obtained from the organiser yesterday, informed that the Dewan Rakyat Speaker could not entertain the debate.
“It is with regret that Pandikar cannot attend the debate because the challenge (for the debate) is for leaders in Sabah only,” the letter read.
Nevertheless, Soo took the opportunity yesterday to explain to the audience about the MA63.
Pandikar openly challenged Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to a debate over MA63; the latter described the offer as ‘stupid’.
The challenge to Abang Johari drew criticisms from state political leaders, including state BarisanNasional (BN) Youth chief Datuk Faidllah Yusuf, who told Pandikar not to ‘teach’ Sarawak about its standing in Malaysia and the importance of MA63.
Fadillah, who is Works Minister and also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth chief said Pandikar was not the individual mandated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to look into Sarawak’s claims under the MA63.
A native of Sabah, Pandikar has sparked the controversy when on Nov 27 he said there was no reason to claim that Sabah and Sarawak have equal status with Peninsular Malaysia, adding that he would gladly debate the issue outside Parliament.