Expressing his intention to proceed with the debate between him and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Rahman said information put forward during the live telecast may even assist the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in their investigation.

“I was informed that JKMR (Special Committee on Corruption) had requested for the debate to be cancelled. However, the debate is important to discover the truth over the issues surrounding Taman Manggis and (Lim’s) bungalow.

“I hope JKMR will consider (proceeding with the debate),” he tweeted last night.

Rahman, who is also Minister of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government, was referring to the directive issued yesterday by the Special Committee on Corruption (JKMR), who suggested the debate be cancelled.

This, said JKMR chairman Abu Zahar Ujang, was because going ahead with the debate may compromise an investigation that was already underway.

Instead, those with evidence related to the Taman Manggis land issue, or the bungalow bought by Lim at below market value, should hand over the relevant information to the anti-graft agency, “rather than hold an open debate”, Abu Zahar said.

To this Rahman replied: “I believe the debate won’t interfere with the probe and, in fact, may even assist (the investigation).”

Rahman and Lim have been locking horns since Tasek Gelugor MP Shabudin Yahaya linked the CM’s purchase of a double-storey bungalow last year to the 2012 Taman Manggis sale of state land.

The bungalow in question, valued at between RM6 million and RM6.5 million, was sold to Lim for only RM2.8 million.

Meanwhile, Taman Manggis, which was reportedly valued at over RM20 million, was sold to Kuala Lumpur International Dental Centre (KLIDC) for RM11 million.

According to Rahman, KLIDC had been sold to another company, and hence, ownership of the contentious state land had been automatically transferred to a third party not named in the original sale and purchase agreement.

Both RTM and TV3 have offered to provide a platform to air the debate.