TV3 backs down, puts off Rahman-Lim telecast

PETALING JAYA: TV3 has backed down from a proposed live broadcast of a debate between Cabinet Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on the sale of state land in Taman Manggis.

The network, owned by Umno-controlled Media Prima group, said it would abide by the advice of the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission not to jeopardise investigations, according to a news report.

TV3 had scheduled the debate to telecast on April 19.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the police are both investigating reports about Lim’s purchase of a RM2.8 million bungalow in George Town and the links to the sale of the Taman Manggis land.

MACC investigations director Azam Baki and the Inspector-General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar, have both said a debate was unnecessary while investigations were continuing.

Media Prima’s group managing editor Mohd Ashraf Abdullah was quoted as saying: “TV3 respects the opinion of Tan Sri Khalid and Datuk Azam that the debate may interfere with the authorities’ investigations on the Taman Manggis land controversy and Lim’s bungalow purchase.”

A new date for the telecast would be announced later, he said.

Abdul Rahman, who is minister for urban affairs and housing, had challenged Lim to a debate over the two property deals. RTM and TV3 were both willing to televise the debate.

In advance of the debate, the two men have exchanged blows in the press, with Abdul Rahman issuing a set of 15 questions to which Lim responded with 15 questions of his own.

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