IPOH, May 3 — Tebing Tinggi PKR candidate Abdul Aziz Bari invited his Barisan Nasional opponent to a direct debate over issues affecting the constituency.

He said the personal attacks over the past few days were of no benefit to constituents.

"Let us talk about policy and not about me being a parachute candidate,” he said.

Speaking at a media conference at his operation centre here today, Aziz said he had raised the issue of squatters in the area after discovering this on his rounds.

He also asked why his opponent, Tony Khoo, was responding to his remarks.

"Issues like poverty and reserves should be answered by the mentri besar,” he said.

"The issues I raised are basic. Clogged drains and bushes that can be hiding place for snakes. The state has moral duty to relocate them. If the state did try to relocate them, show the proof,” he added.

On Wednesday, Khoo accused Aziz of misleading the public over a squatter issue in Kampung Paloh by claiming the state government had neglected the matter as the seat was held by DAP.

Tebing Tinggi will host a three-cornered contest between Aziz, Khoo, and PAS’s Maslan Md Isa.