GEORGE TOWN, March 23 – Authorities should not frustrate Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz in his bid to debate Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Lim said Nazri has repeatedly expressed both his desire and intention to take on the former prime minister, despite rejections by the police.

"Nazri has said he dares to have the debate, he's 'no Rahman Dahlan'; I'm just quoting what he said,” Lim told a press conference at his office today, referring to Minister in Prime Minister's Department Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

The quote was attributed to Nazri in a report by the Malaysiakini news portal.

Lim then mocked Abdul Rahman for pulling out of a debate with him last year.

"Not every minister is a chicken like Rahman Dahlan who challenged me to a debate and chickened out, but Nazri proved there are still warriors in the Cabinet,” he said.

Two days ago, Nazri confirmed that his anticipated debate with Dr Mahathir is now set for April 7 at Karangkraf’s headquarters in Shah Alam, Selangor.

This was after Perak police prohibited the initial debate that had been scheduled to held at the MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) Padang Rengas in Perak this Saturday, March 25.