Guan Eng-Rahman Dahlan debate set for April 19

(MMO) – The debate between Umno minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is scheduled to take place on April 19, according to the former’s adviser.

Malay language daily Berita Harian today reported the adviser to the minister of urban wellbeing, local government and housing, Elviza Michele Kamal, as saying the date was agreed upon after representatives of the two met recently.

In the same report, however, DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke told the daily that there was still no response from the minister’s office over the dates for the debate.

“There were discussions about the debate before this, however, we still haven’t received an official confirmation from the minister’s office,” he was quoted telling the daily.

Lim last week accepted Abdul Rahman’s challenge for a debate over the issues surrounding the land in Taman Manggis, George Town, which the minister claimed involved corruption.

Both men also rejected a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) panel’s call for the event to be cancelled over concerns that it could interfere with the agency’s investigations.

Abdul Rahman has claimed to have in possession documents to support his claims, including two documents showing Kuala Lumpur International Dental Centre (KLIDC) indirectly re-selling the land to a third party for about RM70.6 million.

But Lim has insisted that the land belongs to the KLIDC as the shares are still listed under the agency’s name.

The land sale was also linked to Lim’s purchase of a house in Penang allegedly for below market value, from a former landlord that his accusers claimed has ties with KLIDC.

Both matters are currently under investigation by the MACC.