“I don’t care about Tun Mahathir but my worry is Nazri, as he is a Barisan Nasional (BN) leader,” he told reporters after attending a community event for farmers at Sungai Manik near here.
Tajuddin, who is also Pasir Salak MP, said although Nazri was not debating in the name of Umno or the government, any wrong move on his part would impact both.
“The effect of the debate would depend on what happens at the debate and what is brought up by the two parties. If there are accusations between the two, there will not be a positive effect, and if they throw insults at each other, it would lead to negative effects.
“The people want to see policies which have a positive effect on them with beneficial ideas from both the leaders. It should not be a session to hurl insults, especially Tun M who is likely to criticise the prime minister.
“As such, I want to remind Nazri that you bear the interest of the government and Barisan Nasional. Please consider this during the debate,” he said.
The issue came about after Nazri, who is tourism and culture minister, accepted Mahathir’s challenge to a public debate over the 1MDB and Bumiputra Malaysia Finance controversies, as well as the RM2.6 billion donation from the Saudi royal family.
The debate was originally slated for tomorrow, at the Kuala Kangsar Mara Junior College hall, but this was scrapped after police rejected the venue.
The debate will now be held on April 7 at the Karangkraf Complex in Section 15, Shah Alam.