Loke challenges ‘bully’ Wee to debate on transport achievements

Transport minister Loke Siew Fook has challenged his predecessor, MCA president Wee Ka Siong, to a debate on their achievements in helming the ministry.

The DAP secretary-general scoffed at Wee daring DAP’s candidate in the Bandar Hilir seat, Leng Chau Yen, to a debate with her MCA rival, Jasmine Lok.

He accused the MCA president of being a bully and trying to take advantage of Leng’s speech impediment, saying this has not deterred her from serving the people of Bandar Hilir well in the past five years.

“She has proven herself, she has been there for one term. So, why is Wee only singling her out? Why not other constituencies? He is being unfair and was trying to be a bully.

“If he wishes for a debate, I can debate him anytime on transport issues,” he said at a press conference after officiating the federal territories DAP convention here today.

In his speech at the convention, Loke had slammed Wee for purportedly targeting Leng, saying MCA should “take us on everywhere” if Wee wanted to challenge DAP.

“I can also debate with (Wee). What did you do as transport minister compared with what I have done as transport minister? We are not afraid to be challenged,” he said.

Loke first served as the transport minister from 2018 to 2020, when he lost the post following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan-led federal government.

Wee took over and served as the minister until 2022, when Loke was reappointed in December that year following the formation of the unity government.