ASTRO Awani has invited the leaders of Barisan Nasional (BN), Perikatan Nasional (PN), and Pakatan Harapan (PH) to participate in a dialogue ahead of the polls on November 19. 

Astro Awani Editor-in-Chief Ashwad Ismail, when contacted, confirmed that invitations were sent to the offices of the three coalitions last week. 

“We are still waiting for feedback from them. The initial feedback we received so far has been positive. 

“We are coordinating the right time for the three coalition leaders,” he told The Malaysian Insight. 

The three leaders invited are BN chairman and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, PH chairman and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and PN chairman and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin. 

The Malaysian Insight understands that at least one of these coalitions had discussed Astro Awani’s invitation in a meeting a few days ago. 

Ashwad hopes that the dialogue can help voters understand the stance and policy of the three coalitions on issues in the coming general election (GE15). 

“This is not a debate. We invite them for a dialogue,” he added. 

The PRU15 Coalition Leaders Dialogue is part of a programme on Astro Awani since last year that features three panelists from different backgrounds discussing hot topics or current issues. 

Anwar previously proposed a debate involving prime ministerial candidates from the three main coalitions competing in GE15. 

Muhyiddin had said that he was ready for a debate if there was an invitation from any organiser. 

He said he had no problem discussing issues related to the country’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the economy, and education, as well as international issues. 

However, Umno vice president Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is mentioned as the prime ministerial candidate for BN, rejected the idea, saying that debating was not part of Malaysia’s culture. 

Debates are also inappropriate, he said, because politicians are busy campaigning ahead of polling day. – November 5, 2022.