Let party leaders debate first to set the tone, says Dr Jeffrey

KENINGAU : Chairman of State Reform Party (Star), Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, said top leaders of political parties should first start any debate, then followed by divisional leaders at each constituencies, so as to set the tone of a meaningful debate among parties.

"We support the initiative to have public debates to identify the best candidates to take on the ruling party. We also support a one-to-one fight with BN, but let us start with party top leaders first," he said commenting on the political public debate being initiated in the state.

He said it is important for top leaders to debate first so that the people will know the vision and mission of political parties and also to ensure the public to start recognising who are the leaders of the potential candidates.

"This will make sure the public can see not only the individual candidates, but the goals of the parties, and see clearly what kind of future these parties are trying to build for them," he said at the special Borneo tea-party with the Chinese community in Keningau over the weekend.

Meanwhile Dr Kitingan is set to have a debate with Dr Edwin Bosi of Democratic Action Party (DAP) at 7pm at the Dowish Restaurant in Penampang Wednesday.

The debate is being organised by recently-set up NGO called Democracy Sabah (Desah) chaired by former State Secretary and Suhakam vice chairman, Tan Sri Simon Sipaun.

By Kanul Gindol