KUCHING: The first “Sarawak, What’s Next?” debate by Movement for Change Sarawak (MoCS) will be in series starting on June 22 until the next state elections.
MoCS founding chairman, Francis Paul Siah, said it wants to promote and encourage the debate culture in Sarawak.
“Our politicians should be encouraged to speak up publicly and be prepared to take on their opponents in open public forum,” he said.
He said the debate was to give all political parties in Sarawak an opportunity for their voices to be heard.
“MoCS feels that debates will also help to build a more politically mature and discerning public and such events are also meant to be an educational exercise on politics for Sarawakians.
“MoCS is apolitical. We are not aligned with any political party. I am also not a member of any party. We will be fair to all parties when we conduct the debates,” he stressed.
Ultimately, he said, Sarawakian voters will make their own decisions come the elections.
“If the parties are interested, MoCS will probably host the next one in Sibu where PBB, PSB, PRS, DAP, SUPP and PBK — parties with a following in central Sarawak —will be invited. We will also be accommodating PDP, PBDSB and other parties in future debates,” he said.
MoCS, according to him, only host the debate and the choice of speakers is entirely up to the leaders of the participating parties.
“We have no say in that. However, we trust in the wisdom of party leaders in sending credible and capable candidates to represent their parties at our debate.
“We do not distinguish between lightweights or heavyweights in the party’s choices. MoCS considers all participating speakers worthy representatives of their parties,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Francis also thank Datuk John Lau of the Sarawak Patriots Association (SPA) for his support of the June 22 debate, and has invited him and his members to take part.
