Did Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia break his MA63 debate promise?

Question

Accepted Answer

Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia's MA63 Debate Promise Questioned Following Absence

Sarawak Reform Party (STAR) president Lina Soo expressed significant disappointment after Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia failed to attend a scheduled debate on the Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA63). Soo asserted that Pandikar's absence constituted a failure to uphold his public commitment to engage in a debate on MA63 with "anyone, anytime and anywhere." This event transpired despite Pandikar's prior open invitation for discourse with individuals holding differing views on MA63.
Pandikar's Absence and Soo's Disappointment

Lina Soo, a long-standing advocate for Sarawak's rights, described her experience as being "left on an altar waiting for a bridegroom who does not come" following Pandikar's non-appearance. She had accepted Pandikar's open challenge to debate, indicating a willingness to engage with those who held contrary perspectives on MA63. Soo's expectation was based on Pandikar's earlier broad invitation, which she interpreted as an open door for discussion on the critical matter of MA63.
Justification for Non-Attendance

Pandikar's private secretary, Ali Zulfakar Zainal Abidin, communicated in a letter that the Speaker's open challenge was specifically extended to leaders from Sabah. Consequently, the letter stated, Pandikar could not engage in a debate with Soo, as the invitation was confined to Sabah leaders. This explanation aimed to clarify the scope of Pandikar's commitment and provide a reason for his refusal to debate Soo directly.
Counterarguments on the Debate Invitation

Soo countered the explanation provided by Pandikar's office by highlighting a previous instance where the Speaker had challenged Sarawak's Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari, to a debate on MA63. Soo pointed out that Abang Johari is not a leader from Sabah, suggesting that Pandikar's reasoning for not debating her was a "lame excuse." This comparison implied an inconsistency in Pandikar's application of his debate challenge criteria.
Call for Engagement on MA63

Sarawak Dayak Iban Association president Sidi Munan, who was among the more than 100 individuals present at the venue, conveyed that Pandikar should have attended the event. Munan believed Pandikar ought to have used the opportunity to share his perspectives on MA63, particularly concerning the constitutional status of Sarawak and Sabah within Malaysia. The intention behind such attendance, according to Munan, was to hear Pandikar's arguments regarding the equal standing of these East Malaysian states with those in Peninsular Malaysia.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

Did Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia break his MA63 debate promise?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends