The bickering began when Lim responded to Rahman’s tweet that he was delighted RTM would broadcast the debate live next week.
“Next week when? Next Tuesday Wed n Thursday nites available” Lim tweeted.
Rahman, who is urban wellbeing, housing and local government minister, said he was going overseas and would be back by April 15. “My trip was organised long time ago. Debate after the trip.” Rahman added.
A disappointed Lim, who is Penang chief minister and MP for Bagan, then told Rahman that he had cut short a trip from China to face him in Parliament over the Taman Manggis issue.
“Huh…Apa ini? Debate hilang stimlah (killing the excitement). I had earlier cut short my overseas trip to China 2 face u in Parliament” Lim tweeted.
Rahman then fired back by saying he would give Lim advance notice of the list of questions he intends to ask.
“You nak stim? (want steam) Up to you! Since you nak stim sangat(you want so much steam), I gv u a heads up. I will give you my questions in advance so you can prepare yourself.” Rahman tweeted.
Lim then told Rahman he should be willing to cancel his overseas trip the same way he did over the Parliament face-off.
“Does @mpkotabelud want 2debate me overseas?Where? Come backlah! If I can cancel official China trip n rush back 2face u in Parl,why can’t u?” Lim tweeted.
Lim then replied to Rahman’s earlier tweet, where the latter claimed that Lim was reluctant to talk about his bungalow issue.
“Hmmmm… Saya baru diberitahu kononnya pihak sebelah sana tidak mahu isu banglo Puan Phang dimasukkan dalam perdebatan. Apa pandangan anda?” Rahman tweeted. (I was just told that the opponent apparently does not want Mdm Phang’s bungalow issue brought up. What is your take?”)
To this, Lim replied: “Can have a no holds barred debate no problem.Just come back from overseas. 4God’s sake be a gentleman stand n debate”
For the past month, Lim and Rahman have traded blows over Lim’s purchase of a double-storey bungalow in George Town for RM2.8 million.
Tasek Gelugor MP Shabudin Yahaya had raised the issue in Parliament, questioning if Lim had bought the bungalow below market value at RM2.8 million, when the market price was around RM6 million.
Shabudin also linked the purchase of the bungalow to the sale of a 0.4 hectare plot of government land at Taman Manggis which the Barisan Nasional had said was supposed to be earmarked for affordable housing.
Lim had denied the allegations and said he is willing to be investigated by the authorities.
On Wednesday, Rahman agreed to a live debate with Lim to be shown on RTM’s ‘Democracy’ programme.
In a tweet, Rahman said his office had sent his available dates to Lim, which was acknowledged by DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke on Twitter.