Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for Puteri Wangsa, Maszlee Malik, has accepted a challenge to debate caretaker Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi ahead of next month’s Johor state election.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Maszlee said many people had informed him about a challenge issued by the Facebook page WOW Malaysia, which called for a debate between him and Onn Hafiz, who is also the Johor Barisan Nasional chief.
“With all humility and respect, and in the spirit of democracy, I accept this challenge,” he said.
Calls for political maturity
Maszlee said he hoped the proposed debate or dialogue would become a platform to educate the public and encourage a more mature political culture.
The former education minister added that such an engagement could contribute positively to democratic discourse ahead of the state election.
PH unveils Johor candidates
The development comes a day after PH announced its candidates for the July 11 Johor election.
Maszlee was named as the coalition’s candidate for the Puteri Wangsa seat.
PH also introduced Onn Abu Bakar as its candidate for Senggarang, Johor PKR Youth chief Faezuddin Puad for Kempas, and Suhaizan Kaiat for Larkin.
Contesting all 56 seats
PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the prime minister, announced the lineup and confirmed that the coalition will contest all 56 seats in the Johor state election.
The announcement marks the start of PH’s campaign preparations as parties gear up for the state polls next month.
