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KUALA LUMPUR (June 29, 2009) : DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) today challenged Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat to “nail him as a liar” in a debate over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.

Lim said since Ong had accused him of telling lies on PKFZ, the public debate will be the best place “to publicly nail all the lies I have been telling about the PKFZ scandal instead of running away from such a debate challenge."

“Ong should counter-challenge me to a public debate to fully exploit the opportunity to prove to all and sundry, the alleged litany of lies I have been telling about PKFZ.

“Let me tell Ong that he if dares to challenge me to a 12-venue debate, I will accept without hesitation,” he said. Lim said it is the liar who should be running away from any public debate, and Ong was the one running away.

“Has Ong forgotten the prime minister’s directive (to Ong to answer all questions on PKFZ), and if not, is he avoiding the 90 questions I have asked in the past 30 days, as well as afraid of a public debate on the PKFZ scandal?” he asked at a press conference at Parliament lobby.

Earlier, commenting on Ong's response that the DAP veteran leader was not qualified to debate with him on the issue, Lim said: "What arrogance and a ‘high-and-mighty’ attitude after becoming a ‘small minister’. What would he not do, if he becomes a slightly ‘bigger’ minister?" he asked.

On his motion to refer Ong to the privileges committee, Lim said he was still waiting for Ong’s answer whether the minister agrees with his proposition that Pakatan Rakyat MPs support Ong’s motion, which was submitted last week through Teng Boon Soon (BN-Tebrau) to refer Lim to the same committee for misleading the House, with the quid pro quo that Barisan Nasional MPs support his motion to refer Ong.

“I am giving Ong 48 hours to say 'yes' or 'no' and not to continue to run from my questions,” Lim said.
In an immediate response, Ong told reporters that Lim will embarrass himself by staging his own show through his own accusations and conclusions on PKFZ.

“There are only two possibilities for him (Lim) to keep harping on the issue; He either cannot understand the ministry’s explanation or he purposely chooses not to understand the explanation,” he added.