Nazri: No need for Umno, BN supporters at debate
Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz says looking forward to debate with Dr Mahathir Mohamad as it will give him a chance to explain things to the opposition.
(FMT) – There is no need for Umno and other Barisan Nasional (BN) supporters to attend the public debate between Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on March 25.
The Umno supreme council member made this call as he said he was perfectly capable of responding and hitting back at any question posed by Mahathir.
“I would like to request Umno and BN people that they need not attend. I have no problems. I am capable all by myself,” he told journalists in the Parliament lobby today.
He said he was looking forward to addressing the opposition at the debate venue in his parliamentary constituency of Padang Rengas, and to have them hear his explanations on issues raised.
The debate came about after Mahathir, who is chairman of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), challenged Nazri to a debate on political and economic matters affecting the nation. He reportedly cited topics like 1MDB, the Bumiputera Malaysia Finance (BMF) scandal and the deposit of RM2.6 billion into Prime Minister Najib Razak’s bank account.
Mahathir, 91, had also given assurances that the debate would be held in a peaceful environment.
Nazri said he did not agree to having the debate telecast live, as Mahathir was not the leader of the country’s opposition.
“I feel Dr Mahathir does not have the standing. He is not the opposition head,” he said.
“I am also not the head of government. So I feel the debate is between (ordinary) individuals,” he added, saying that was why the debate did not merit being telecast live.
Nazri said the debate was not about winning or losing, but answering questions raised through dialogue.
“This is not a children’s debate, this is a serious debate,” he said. “So ask the questions and have them answered.”
Earlier this month, Mahathir and Nazri engaged in a public spat after Nazri, upon learning that Mahathir and PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin were due in Padang Rengas on March 25 on PPBM’s ongoing tour, challenged one of them to an electoral fight in the constituency.
Mahathir called it an “empty challenge”, saying Nazri knew he had no intention to contest in the upcoming general election. He counter-challenged Nazri to do battle in Langkawi where Mahathir is the party’s new division chief.
The exchange culminated in a Mahathir aide telling FMT on March 10 that the elder politician had confirmed his keenness to debate with Nazri on certain key issues.
