Jeniri said both sides were likely to make excuses and avoid the debate on the grounds of having limited time to campaign. Sarawak goes to the polls on May 7.

Yesterday, Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen accepted Adenan’s challenge to fight him on local issues. Chong said he would not merely debate local issues but would also talk on GST. Adenan had said that the opposition should not drag in national issues such as 1MDB as it was irrelevant to Sarawak.

However, Jeniri felt that a debate would be good for the state government to counter criticisms by the opposition.

“Don’t discuss on 1MDB or on the RM2.6 billion political donation. Debate on policies involving the state is good. For example, on the GST issue, it affects everyone in Sarawak, be it in the city or rural areas.

“We can’t say GST is bad because 160 countries are practising it. But it is important to debate on it because it has caused pressure among the people.

“So this will be a good opportunity for the state government to ease the tension and counter the manipulation by traders who have been increasing prices at will.

“Besides, by debating on issues concerning the Sarawakians, this will determine the votes in the next general election,” he told FMT when contacted.

In light of Chong’s recent remarks, Jeniri said, it was not necessary for Adenan to attend the debate as there are others in the top leadership who can take up the challenge.

“This person needs to be someone who has good ethos, intelligent, good at public speaking and debating. This person also needs to provide facts, data and statistics when debating.

“Or maybe, instead of debating, they can present their arguments during one of their ceramah when campaigning,” Jeniri added.