KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 ― 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) chief Arul Kanda Kandasamy should accept Pakatan Harapan's replacement for DAP's Tony Pua in their previously-agreed debate on the state-owned firm, an Umno minister said today.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said that the debate would allow the 1MDB president to dispel allegations and misconceptions surrounding the firm.
“I feel he (Arul Kanda) should accept the debate… I feel that the debate can go on and that this will show that not everything (within 1MDB) is as bad as it is being projected to be,” he told reporters.
The Kemaman MP also questioned Pua's decision to withdraw from the debate, but expressed confidence that Arul Kanda will be able to handle any other challenger from the Pakatan Harapan opposition pact.
Pakatan Harapan announced today that PKR's Rafizi Ramli will replace Pua to debate the issues surrounding 1MDB with Arul Kanda.
DAP's parliamentary whip Anthony Loke made the announcement in a press conference at the Parliament lobby here after getting approval from the Pakatan Harapan presidential council last night.
The Seremban MP said Pakatan Harapan also would be consulting Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak to ask for Rafizi’s debate with Arul Kanda to be aired live.
Rafizi urged Arul Kanda to accept the challenge, saying it would show the corporate man’s skills as a debater on a topic of national interest.
Rafizi also said he would get help from Pua to prepare for his debate.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia earlier this week disallowed the debate between Pua from debating Arul Kanda as it might taint the PAC’s ongoing probe on 1MDB, and threatened to quit if Putrajaya ignores his objections.
