Editor-in-chief of popular Malay daily says a discourse on the three issues – 1MDB, RM2.6 billion and BMF scandal – would be a better format than outright debate.
KUALA LUMPUR: Sinar Harian has offered to organise the debate between Umno supreme council member Nazri Aziz and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The Malay daily yesterday reported its editor-in-chief Norden Mohamed as saying the organisation would like to hold the event in the form of a discourse, and indicated it would likely be held during Mahathir’s visit to Nazri’s parliamentary constituency of Padang Rengas on March 25.
“Sinar Harian is ready to be the organiser of this meeting and we are interested to have it as a discourse on the issues raised,” the report quoted him as saying referring to the topics that Mahathir had suggested, namely 1MDB, the RM2.6 billion in Prime Minister Najib Razak’s personal accounts and the BMF scandal.
Norden said the format would be such that those watching the discussion would be able to gain information and views from the speakers, based on which they can make their own evaluations on whether they agree or not with the points aired.
Recently, after learning that Mahathir, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman, and PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin are due in Padang Rengas on PPBM’s ongoing tour, Nazri challenged any one of them to an electoral fight in his constituency.
Mahathir, 91, called it an “empty challenge”, saying Nazri knows he has 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 Mahathir has confirmed his keenness to debate with Nazri on certain key issues.
A PPBM team is already making the necessary arrangements for the debate to be held in Padang Rengas during Mahathir’s visit, the aide said.
“Details of these arrangements will be submitted to Nazri’s office soon for confirmation. Dr Mahathir is looking forward to the debate,” the aide said.
Referring to the FMT report quoting the aide, Norden said the date for the debate has not been confirmed, but noted that Mahathir is expected to be in Padang Rengas to attend an event on March 25.
He said Sinar Harian has so far organised 44 dialogues to discuss various issues covering topics like the proposed shariah amendment bill, state-owned investment firm 1MDB and the GST.
“Sinar Harian is indeed ready to provide space for any parties to discuss various issues,” Norden added.
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