'Time is running out, but I can consider it depending on the topic' — Aminuddin

PORT DICKSON - Pakatan Harapan (PH) Negeri Sembilan chairman Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun believes the proposal for him to debate with Negeri Sembilan UMNO chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias should have been raised earlier, rather than at this stage of the campaign.

Aminuddin said he wanted to make the most of the remaining campaign period by meeting voters but was open to considering the proposal.

“I think the timing is rather tight. If he wanted to debate with me, it should have been proposed earlier because we are already in the final phase of the campaign.

“I need to use the remaining time to campaign and meet voters,” he told reporters on Thursday.

Previously, Sinar Harian reported that Jalaluddin had no intention of debating with any party but was willing to accept an invitation if one was extended by the opposing side.

He made the remark when asked whether he was prepared to debate Aminuddin, who has been named by PH as its Menteri Besar candidate.

The possibility of a debate arose as Jalaluddin is one of BN’s key figures in Negeri Sembilan, besides leading 14 UMNO-BN state assemblymen who announced their loss of confidence and withdrew support for Aminuddin on April 27.

Elaborating further, Aminuddin said that if an invitation was received from the opposing side, he would first review the proposal and topics to be discussed.

The Linggi DUN candidate added that any debate should have a clear scope and direction.

“I will look into the suitability and necessity of holding such a debate. There are sensitive issues that do not need to be debated because they could have negative consequences,” he said.