Nazri says conflict if Pua debates 1MDB boss while still PAC man

(Malay Mail Online) – Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz concurred with 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) chief executive Arul Kanda Kandasamy who insisted that DAP’s Tony Pua must leave the Public Accounts Committee if the two are to debate on live television.

The tourism and culture minister said Pua could not otherwise engage in the debate with Arul as there would be a conflict of interest stemming from the DAP lawmaker’s position in the PAC that is investigating 1MDB.

“Good! He (Pua) must resign because he can’t be a PAC member, because he is part of the investigations. He must be a neutral person, he must resign from PAC so that he can go debate with Arul Kanda,” he told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby today.

Nazri added that it was common sense that an investigator should not publicly debate with the subject of his investigation, as it would otherwise suggest prejudice on the part of the former.

Pua, who is Petaling Jaya Utara MP, challenged Arul Kanda earlier today to join him in a live talk show to respond once and for all to the allegations levied against 1MDB.

Arul Kanda accepted the dare, but on condition that Pua leaves the PAC as there would be a conflict of interest.

Yesterday, Arul Kanda reportedly told BernamaTV that there was no cover up of 1MDB’s activities and that it would be impossible to do so as the firm was being probed by five agencies.