State Reform Party (Star) president Lina Soo's highly anticipated debate with Pandikar Amin Mulia over the Malaysia Agreement 1963 fizzled out today after a no-show from the parliamentary speaker.
According to The Borneo Post, Pandikar failed to show up at the debate venue at 2pm as set by Soo.
The Star president had publicly announced the debate after Pandikar on his Facebook challenged anyone to a debate on the Agreement that had led to Sabah and Sarawak joining Malaya to form Malaysia in 1963.
On Monday, Soo told The Borneo Post she sent Pandikar a letter on Dec 4, accepting his challenge and fixing the debate at Grand Continental Hotel in Kuching at 2pm, Dec 23.
“Until now, he has not responded to my invitation, but I am waiting for him to show up until the day itself,” she was reported as saying at the time.
It is unclear if Pandikar (photo) had eventually acknowledged the invitation.
On Nov 29, The Malay Mail Online reported Pandikar as having posted on his Facebook that while he did not recognise Soo, he would purportedly never run away from any battle for the good of the nation.
'Pandikar or the chair'
The Borneo Post earlier reported that Soo was excited about the debate and had prepared thoroughly to face off with the speaker over the Agreement, which outlines numerous provisions for the Borneo states to join the partnership along with Singapore.
“If he doesn’t show up, I might have to debate with the chair.
"Pandikar must show up or he would be showing the whole nation that he is not a man of his word,” Soo was reported as saying on Dec 18.
The debate fiasco was sparked after Pandikar on Nov 12 claimed the Malaysia Agreement merely contained “recommendations” that were not binding, and those arguing that the provisions had not been met were only trying to sow discontent with Putrajaya.
Meanwhile, the approximately 100 people who turned up at the debate venue today were left disappointed, reported The Borneo Post.
“He (Pandikar) failed to turn up today, which is just to show that he is scared to face Lina (Soo) for the debate,” Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) president John Cobbold Lusoi was reported as saying.
