Lim Ban Hong open to debate with Klebang rivals

MELAKA – Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Klebang state seat Datuk Lim Ban Hong is willing to consider taking part in a debate with his election rivals, but believes voters should assess candidates based on their service records and engagement with the community rather than their debate performances alone.

Ban Hong, who is also MCA Melaka chairman, said he had yet to receive an official invitation to participate in the proposed debate but would consider it if his schedule allowed.

“So far, I have not received any invitation letter to debate or participate in the session. If there is an opportunity and I have the time, I think I will consider the invitation,” he said.

He stressed that voters do not judge candidates solely based on their campaign appearances during the election period.

Instead, they also consider candidates' past and present performance, the work they have undertaken and their future plans for the constituencies they seek to represent.

“That is why I prepared this performance report because I believe it reflects work that was not done by me alone, but together with the residents of the Klebang state constituency,” he said.

Ban Hong also said feedback and complaints received through grassroots programmes, informal engagements and official meetings were channelled to the government for follow-up action and improvements.

As an elected representative, he said, he had also raised issues through the State Legislative Assembly and other relevant channels.

He added that voters would consider how candidates interacted with residents, as well as their willingness and sensitivity in addressing concerns raised by the community.

“Voters now have access to various sources of information through social media and newspapers, so they know how to assess candidates from different perspectives.

“Most importantly, this is not just during elections, but also based on the candidates’ work and interactions with the community in the past,” he said.

His remarks came after Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) candidate for Klebang, Young Jie Yu, invited the three other candidates to participate in a candidates’ dialogue on Nov 6.

The session is scheduled for 8.30pm at the Bersama N14 Klebang Campaign Centre in Jalan Mendang, where candidates will have the opportunity to share their respective parties’ visions for Melaka’s future.

Jie Yu said the initiative aimed to shift the focus away from personality-driven politics and towards discussions on public policy.

The Klebang contest is a four-cornered fight involving Ban Hong (BN), Jie Yu (Bersama), Farhana Hayani Mohd Nasir (Pakatan Harapan) and Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad (Perikatan Nasional).