Challenged again to debate Pua, 1MDB boss says ‘bring it on’

(Malay Mail Online) – After a failed first attempt late last year, 1Malaysia Development Berhad’s (1MDB) Arul Kanda Kandasamy has accepted a second challenge to debate DAP’s Tony Pua on the firm’s affairs.

In a statement, the 1MDB president sarcastically suggested that Pua wanted to spend more “quality time” with him despite having questioned him for a two full days during the just-concluded Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) investigation on the state-owned firm.

“Far be it from me, to deny YB Tony this pleasure. I hereby accept the debate challenge. Bring it on!” he said.

Arul Kanda, who was responding to reports saying Pua repeated the debate challenge last night, also accused his foe of being confused about his feelings about him.

The 1MDB chief said Pua has been quoted as saying that “you could almost fall in love” with him (Arul Kanda), but in the same breath has also called him a liar and rubbished his achievements.

He added that although Pua now wants to debate him, the Petaling Jaya Utara MP has also in the past urged for his resignation.

“It is clear that YB Tony is confused and contradicts himself. He does not know if he loves me or hates me.

“He says I should resign, then says I need to stay on and debate with him. This is despite many in the DAP, including YB Tony, calling me a liar, who is not worth listening to.

“So why debate, when you will not listen to, or believe, anything I say?” Arul Kanda asked.

He added that this was also the first time that a PAC member has asked to debate with a “defendant” after proceedings have completed and a final report tabled and presented to Parliament.

Noting that the previous debate challenge from Pua last year failed to materialise due to a ruling in the Dewan Rakyat, Arul Kanda said he hoped the lawmaker had received the green light from the House’s Speaker before daring him to another showdown.

“To avoid being embarrassed a second time, I hope YB Tony has first checked with the Speaker of Parliament before issuing this debate challenge,” he said.

According to reports, Pua challenged Arul Kanda to a debate during a Pakatan Harapan-organised forum in Shah Alam last night.

The lawmaker noted that his previous attempt failed because the challenge was issued while the PAC, of which he is a member, was still investigating 1MDB.