This is because Mahathir, who says he is all prepared for the debate, is willing to go ahead with it even if it has to be held on another date, and at another venue.
“If he (Nazri) has no power, or his (position) in the government and in his party is weak, then we can offer to have the debate either in Shah Alam, or any other venue that does not require police permission.
“I will attend (even if the debate is postponed to another date), because Nazri is not our target. We want to discuss about 1MDB, and do a comparison with BMF (Bumiputra Malaysia Finance),” he told a press conference at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here today.
The debate was initially scheduled to be held in the hall of the Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) in Kuala Kangsar on March 25.
Although both Mahathir and Nazri had agreed to the debate, acting Perak Police chief Hasnan Hassan said it was denied as the organisers submitted the application form late, and because such an event was not allowed to be held within school premises.
Hasnan also said that the police had received written objections, with eight reports lodged by the public and residents in the vicinity who were worried about their safety and that of their families.
Nazri had slammed the “no-go” order, saying the Saturday event would go ahead even without a police permit.
On this, Mahathir said the Padang Rengas MP has until tomorrow evening to make all necessary arrangements for the debate, and to make sure it will happen.
Otherwise, the 91-year-old will not show up at the venue as it will be pointless, he added.
“Nazri promised to organise this debate, and to handle all matters needed to make this happen. So he has to do what’s necessary.
“If he can’t give the assurance (that the debate will go on), what’s the point of him going there alone and asking me to join him?
“So I can look at him, and he can look at me?”
The debate came about after Mahathir challenged Nazri to a debate on political and economic matters affecting the nation.
He specifically cited topics like 1MDB, the BMF scandal and the deposit of RM2.6 billion into Prime Minister Najib Razak’s bank account.
Mahathir had also given an assurance that it would be held in a peaceful environment.
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