Question time: Bkt Gasing's Lim vs Lee
Having trouble deciding on which candidate to vote? Malaysiakini begins a series of interviews pitting opposing candidate together to state their stand on several hot button issues.
As polling day draws closer, candidates are expected to step up their campaigns with more ceramah (public talks) and house visits.
This also means the voters have eight days to decide who they want to represent their views in both the state assembly and Parliament.
As election debates between candidates are rare in this country, Malaysiakini pitches 12 questions to opposing candidates to allow readers and voters to gauge their respective stand on several hot button issues.
We begin with Bukit Gasing’s candidates - Barisan Nasional’s incumbent Dr Lim Thuan Seng (
right
) and DAP’s
challenger Edward Lee (
left
) - who spare 10 minutes from their hectic schedules to talk to
Malaysiakini
.
Bukit Gasing falls under the Petaling Jaya Selatan parliamentary constituency and consists of 71.1% Chinese, 13.9% Malay, 12.3% Indian and 2.7% of others.
Dr Lim Thuan Seng vs
Edward Lee
1. Will you support the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC)?
Lim: Yes.
Lee: Yes. I think people need to know who are the good and not-so-good people in the force so the right people can gain their rightful place in the force.
2. Will you support the implementation of local council elections?
Lim: Yes but who will implemented it?
Lee: Yes, definitely. It is in my manifesto.
3. Will you support that Petronas' accounts be made public?
Lim: Petronas have their annual report, so you can get their accounts from it. (But) you can’t demand any company to reveal all their accounts.
Lee: Definitely.
4. Will you support the idea of retaining subsidies of oil and other essential items?
Lim: I support the use of subsidies.
Lee: At present time, it is important to subsidise basic goods because the economy is struggling and the poor people are suffering the most. These people must be given assistance.
5. Will you support universities to be autonomous or agree to the abolishing of the University and University Colleges Act (UUCA) 1971?
Lim: Yes, but it’s better for students to focus in education, so I have a bit of reservation on this.
Lee: Yes. The UUCA is stifling the growth of the intellectuals. It impedes the development of liberal thinking among students.
6. Will you support the idea of an Islamic state being established in Malaysia?
Lim: No.
Lee: This is a question that is very close to most people. I am new to politics and I would like to be careful though I am following the issue. As it stands, I believe and support what the constitution says.
7. Will you support the setting-up of the Inter-faith Council or a Non-Muslim Affairs Department?
Lim: Yes.
Lee: Yes. There is no harm in doing that and it should include Muslim leaders in discourse and not just non-Muslim (leaders). Both sides should talk and come up with common agreements.
8. Will you support the call that the Anti-Corruption Agency be placed under Parliament?
Lim: Yes, for obvious reasons.
Lee: Definitely, yes.
9. Will you support the idea of abolishing the Internal Security Act?
Lim: More yes than no. It does serve a certain function. At the moment, there are many other laws that can be used (instead of ISA). (It) depends on circumstances. Like the United States, they are doing what we are doing. The world is so volatile, so we have to look at things very carefully.
Lee: Yes, of course.
10. Will you support public assemblies being held without needing to apply for police permits?
Lim: No, because of the complex situation whereby we are multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-religious country. Things may get out of control. (There are) sensitivity issues. We must uphold harmony.
Lee: The ideal situation would be for certain guidelines be set in advance and agreed by the parties in order to prevent a situation whereby irresponsible or agent provocateurs may cause trouble.
11. Will you support the idea of fixing a minimum wage for workers?
Lim: Yes.
Lee: Yes, they should get at least RM1,000.
12. Will you support the idea of abolishing the New Economic Policy (NEP)?
Lim: NEP has its functions. Of course, it has served its purpose. It has brought stability. Sometimes it’s not an easy answer of a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ (but) something else can be implemented which is more broad-based so it can serve all communities. There are urban poor of all races and rural poor of all races, so it should be adjusted. So it can focus on helping all communities.
Lee: Yes, definitely.
