Why fear a debate, Raja Nong Chik? — Kunjuraman Karuppan

If you go to Bangsar or just about anywhere in the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency, you'll see banners and buntings with the smiling face of Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.

But you won't see his face tonight at a debate with Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar.

Instead, the Federal Territories Minister has got his boys to lodge a report against Nurul Izzah for for going "out of control" in trying to publicise the debate which he had turned down.

You know what is sad? Not only does he refuse to debate, the minister and wanna-be MP has the gall to lodge a police report over the debate.

This is an unelected man, made a senator and put in charge of federal territories and he is afraid to debate.

This is an unelected man who has used City Hall resources and even the vast machinery of the state for various projects in the parliamentary seat but fears a debate.

You can put up Barisan Nasional flags and buntings, distribute oranges for Chinese New Year, saris for Deepavali and bubur lambuk for Hari Raya but you can't face your political foe?

Cat got your tongue, Senator? Or you would rather tempt people with goodies than articulate what you and your coalition is all about to an audience of your possible voters?

You rather display the state's wallet but not your wit? This is embarrassing, to say the least. A Cabinet minister who can't hold his own against another politician.

Your Cabinet colleagues Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon and Datuk Shabeery Chik have done it before. Perhaps they are made of sterner stuff.

I forgot. They have faced voters and won and lost. They had to talk to win. You don't have to do that.

You just have to put your face everywhere and deliver goodies. That's enough to win at the ballot box, right?

You just want to be seen and not heard, right?

Well, if that is the case, you're just as two-dimensional as your posters and buntings. No substance, just fluff. Not winnable at all. And not even good enough to remain a senator.

* Kunjuraman Karuppan reads The Malaysian Insider.