Friday date for Arul Kanda-Tony Pua face-off, minister says

(Malay Mail Online) – RTM has proposed Friday to hold the debate between 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) president Arul Kanda Kandasamy and DAP lawmaker Tony Pua on live television, Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak said today.

The communications and multimedia minister also said a moderator will be appointed from the national broadcaster for the debate.

“I’ve suggested that it be televised live this Friday from 9pm to 10pm,” Salleh Said told a press conference after an event at Universiti Putra Malaysia here.

He said both Arul Kanda and Pua will be contacted to get their agreement on the proposed Friday date.

The Umno minister also said there would be no “live” audience at the debate because “we want it to be in a conducive environment”.

Salleh Said said there would be guidelines too on what issues cannot be mentioned in the debate between the 1MDB chief and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) member Pua, highlighting the confidentiality of the proceedings of the parliamentary committee that is investigating the state investment firm.

“I’m sure he’ll know what can and can’t be done,” Salleh Said said, referring to Pua.

Pua, who is also Petaling Jaya Utara MP and a member of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, challenged Arul Kanda last Wednesday to a discussion on live TV following the latter’s appearance in an interview by national news agency Bernama, which the 1MDB chief later accepted.